Onward and Upward

After their thrashing by Cardigan in the first match of the season, Aberystwyth B were looking to get their first points when they faced Gwyddbwyll.com at the St David's Club on Tuesday 20 October. Adam Watkin-Jones,returning to competitive chess after a long absence, faced Iwan Griffiths on top board, and had a gentle reintroduction, trapping a bishop to win the game when scarcely out of the opening. Tony Geraghty achieved nothing with his pawn sac in a London System against Owen Llywelyn, and found himself defending a very cramped position, but it was difficult for Black to break through, and a draw was agreed. Mike Weston had a heartbreaking game against against David Moore on Board 3. Poised for what looked like a devastating attack with his major pieces on the kingside, he had hardly any time left to calculate it, and was fatally down on material when his flag fell. Jamie Friel's calculations, on the other hand, were spot on, as he saw his way through some sharp tactics to a win against the higher-rated Tegwyn Jones. Aberystwyth B secured their first win of the season, 2½-1½.

Iwan Griffiths - Adam Watkin-Jones 0-1

Tony Geraghty - Owen Llywelyn ½-½

David Moore - Mike Weston 1-0

Jamie Friel - Tegwyn Jones 1-0

Aber A have started the season well with a win against Carmarthen, and were in confident mood against Haverfordwest A at the Emlyn Cafe, Tanygroes, on Wednesday 4 November. However, Rudy van Kemenade, just back from the European Club Cup in Macedonia,surprisingly went wrong in his King's Indian Attack Sicilian against Martin Jones, and was in some trouble when his opponent overlooked a threat of mate in two. I took advantage of Scott Hammett's misplaced bishop to set up a series of threats in an English opening, winning material early, though it took a long time to clinch the win. Tony Geraghty also won a piece early by virtue of Gwyn Evan's trapped queen and sealed the victory soon after. Mike Weston dominated against Robbie Coles, grabbing first a pawn, then a piece in a much more comfortable game than his last one. A whitewash to Aber, 4-0.

Rudy van Kemenade - Martin Jones 1-0

Scott Hammett - Matthew Francis 0-1

Tony Geraghty - Gwyn Evans 1-0

Robbie Coles - Mike Weston 0-1