Too Complicated

The recent spate of matches between Aberystwyth and Haverfordwest continued on Wednesday 13th April when the two A teams met at the Emlyn Cafe, Tanygroes. It is not often Rudy van Kemenade complains that a game is too complicated, but his game against Colin Denham seems to have bemused even him. Mind you, he was playing Black in a King's Indian (by transposition) in a line where he had once lost to the great Bronstein, who knew a thing or two about complications. If it was a bit much for Rudy it was even more so for Colin, who was the first to crack under the pressure of time and tactics. Julie van Kemenade's game against John Miller, by contrast, was a blocked French Defence, where it seemed neither side would be able to break through. Julie missed the point of Black's careful manoeuvring which threatened to win a pawn and dominate the position. She was still unaware of the danger when she offered a draw, and her opponent, somehow doubting his own success, accepted. I was once again playing Scott Hammett, whom I had beaten in the previous match. This time I got nothing out of the opening or the middlegame (and should have lost a pawn), but managed to take control in the knight and pawn ending, marching my king up the board and creating zugzwang. A temporary sacrifice of my knight in the corner opened up the centre for my king and passed pawn, allowing a transposition to a won pawn ending. Jamie Friel sacrificed his bishop on f7 in a King's Gambit against Gwyn Evans but neglected to secure the centre and lost quickly. A 2½-1½ win meant Aber A overtook their own B team to restore their traditional precedence.

Colin Denham - Rudy van Kemenade 0-1

Julie van Kemenade - John Miller ½-½

Scott Hammett - Matthew Francis 0-1

Jamie Friel - Gwyn Evans 0-1