match result
Given the rating advantage, it was expected that Ringwood would have the upper hand in the match and so it proved, though that doesn't quite tell the whole story.
On board 1, Peter Anderson seemed to have the best of it and when I last saw the board, he had 2 minor pieces and a 3 pawn advantage v rook which was more than enough to bring home the first point for Ringwood.
On board 2, Martin Clancy built up a big time advantage before his opponent's position deteriorated to such an extent that material loss occurred and a second point went Ringwood's way.
All good for Ringwood so far, especially given that things were looking good on boards 3 and 4 too. However, at this point, Rob Davenport, having pressed with an advantage for much of the game, suddenly seemed to lose the thread and with it material and suddenly Poole had their first point.
At the same time this was happening, I, a pawn up, played what I thought was a winning pawn push only to see Eric whip it off the board with his Queen, simultaneously forking my rook and bishop. For a minute or two I thought I was now dead lost, but then as luck would have it saw that I had a means of escape that could force a perpetual, material down, due to mating threats. In time trouble however, Eric couldn't find the best response and ended up losing on time in a lost position - a big sigh of relief from my side of the board!
Niall Woodger
From a cosy corner
Ringwood, always a lovely place to visit. We rock up and instead of 64 squares we're presented with 6 pockets. Fresh from watching the UK snooker championship we're tempted to the change of sport, but I quickly realise my limitations - mainly that I struggle to reach the table. Instead we are intercepted by our ever delightful host and made to feel at home in the new cosy corner of the pub.
Soon the teams were assembled and we looked at the team sheet. 76 points between the two teams, never mind, we were underdogs in division 3, we're used to it.
Dragi was playing board 1 facing the brunt of the grading difference, 46 points behind on that board alone. Dragi gave it a good fight, but was soon behind on material. He had a couple of attacks but was unable to get anything from them, with the material difference it was then too much to ask and the first point went to Ringwood.
Next was Simon P, I went over when my game was in a vicious stage, and none of the pieces had ventured to the other side! How can you expect to win without a nice sacrifice and charge?! Soon this game went to Ringwood, 2-0 to the home team.
Next was my game, another match against Rob Davenport. He managed to snatch a pawn on the King side, but this was an opportunity for attack. With material level, time was running low, it then came down to the winner being the person who makes the second to last mistake. Fortunately for me I blundered the exchange before a whole Rook was given back under tight time pressure. One of those games that would loved to have seen played out without the clock.
This heeped pressure upon Eric who was in the final stages against Niall, with the win needed and a draw not good enough, he had a huge task and fell under the flag with a Queen glairing at his King.
3-1 to Ringwood, a good showing against a stronger team. Well played all.
Tarik Reghif