Poole B V Ringwood A

4 well fought games with a synchronised finish

About 9pm I had a look round the boards and my assessment (possibly inaccurate) was this. Kevin and Chip were in a g3 KID with Chip attacking on the kingside but Kevin holding more space on the queenside and with better overall development and the long term endgame chances. Graham had played a Blackmar Gambit which Martin had declined by playing e3 - I thought Graham looked slightly better but Martin's position was solid. Dragi and Niall were already in an endgame (I think from a Sicilian) and I thought Niall had a minute advantage but unless he could summon Carlsenesque accuracy it looked like a draw would be the natural result. I had no idea who was better in Sergiu and my game which was a Modern/KID with opposite side castling. I was so engrossed in my game that I did not really see much more. Suddenly all the games seemed to be over at once and I am really not sure in what order they finished. I am told that Kevin's queenside space and piece activity did tell in the endgame. Graham reached an Q+R endgame where he could have successfully hunted Martin's king but missed his chance and was left too many pawns down. Dragi and Niall's game did fizzle out to a draw. In Sergiu and my game the middlegame turned in my favour and so Sergiu forced the queens off but the resulting endgame left me with very active pieces which soon netted a pawn and gradually more material. Thanks to Poole for their normal warm welcome - always a pleasure to visit.

Peter Anderson

Chess

Well done to Ringwood for their win. Close games, the better team in the night won. Always a pleasure to see our friends from down A31

Ciprian Stanciu