Chessit

Bristol have two teams that compete in the Four Nations chess League. The 1st team are in Division One and the 2nd team play in Division Three.

GM Matthew Turner ( Millfield School ) drew with white against Bristol- based IM James Cobb on Saturday, before beating 2298- rated John Richardson with black on Sunday.James Cobb ( Clifton ) followed up his draw with Matthew Turner by defeating 2097- rated Colin Eckoff on Sunday.
Peter Poobalasingam ( Bath ) lost against GM Mark Hebden, before bouncing back with a win against 2204- rated Andrew Harley.

Bristol 1 defeated both FCA 1 5-3, and Wessex 1 5.5-2.5

Bristol 2 drew with The Full Ponty 3-3, lost to Notts 1 4.5-1.5

Bristol 3 lost against Notts 2 4.5-1.5, and The Full Ponty 4.5-1.5

Bristol 1 are in the relegation pool, but have a record so far of 3 wins and 1 draw against the other teams in their pool. 2 wins from their final 3 matches against White Rose 2, Anglian Avengers, and Brown Jack will guarantee them another season in division 2.

Bristol 2 currently have a record of 2 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses. Division 3 is run entirely as a swiss- style league, and I believe it's now a certainty that Bristol 2 will be in Division 3 again next season.

Bristol 3 are trailing just behind Bristol 2 with a record of 2 wins, 1 draw, 5 losses, and like their compatriots will be in Division 3 again next season.

Open invitiation to all Bristol League players to join the Bristol League's squad for the 4 Nations Chess League. There are 11 rounds and matches are played at weekends. Matches are Fide rated and the time control suits thoughtful players who find it frustrating that there is not enough time in the evenings. The weekends are also a good social occasion featuring a team meal in the evening. All players are welcome regardless of playing strength. Membership of the English (or alternative) Chess Federation is required.

Saturday 24 October.

		WESSEX 2		v	BRISTOL 2
1	w	Pleasants, Allan J	2079	1 - 0	Ponter, Ian P	2046
2	b	Tunks, Dominic	2076	1 - 0	Humphreys, Jerry G	2082
3	w	Marsh, Roger DW	2074	½ - ½	Stewart, Joseph	1994
4	b	Clark, Ian C	2072	½ - ½	May, Michael	1898
5	w	Gregory, Keith DF	2056	½ - ½	Richardt, Michael	1963
6	b	Taylor-Bowd, Philip J	2043	½ - ½	Bromilow, Edward T	1922
				4 - 2

Allan Pleasants reports:

After a fairly miserable drive up the motorway in the rain and drizzle we settled down to play our first match in Division 3. I sensed that the games particularly on the lower boards were pretty cautious affairs with Phil happy as always to accept a draw, Ian pushing slightly to make something of an isolated queen pawn and only gaining the very slightest of advantages once the IQP had gone. Keith was happy to accept a draw after spending the first half hour on move 2. In fairness he went to look after Jo who wasn’t feeling too well. Roger held an advantage, but the closed position offered no real winning chances. Roger sacked a pawn to try open the position up on the queenside, but I’m not sure the position justified the risk even if it was quite small. Dominic continued his fine form from last year and when his opponent failed to respond to the a5 pawn push early on in the game. Dominic saw no reason why it shouldn’t just march it all the way down the board with fairly devastating effect. In a complete reversal of fortune from last year I managed to continue my recent good form by winning fairly calmly on top board.

23 May 2011