ECA made sure of their status as Division B also-rans with a convincing win over Denton B on Wednesday night.
Denton were rather distracted as they all got stuck in traffic on their way to our venue and one of their players did not turn up at all. Nevertheless we were missing our board 1 so we did well to produce such a good score.
Here is how it went.
1. Phil 1-0 D Toole (171)
I have to face David's Four Pawns Attack against my King's Indian and tried a risky sideline where Black does not move his e pawn. I allowed David to play e5 and it looked like I was getting crushed. However in time trouble he didn't spot the killer move and I was able to get at his King with my Queen and pick up a few pieces with check.
2. Dave N 1-0 Default
Dave N played 1. d4 with great panache and that was the end of that one.
3. Dave B 0-1 K Ahmadi (155)
Dave B was doing fine (as normal) after the opening but then had a hallucination and lost a piece. There was no way back after that.
4. Keven 1-0 P Boyd (123)
Adopting a solid "bore my opponent into a strategic blunder" strategy Keven gradually ground his opponent down with a smooth win. Karpov would have been proud.
5. David T 1-0 D Cook (107)
David T seemed to be without counterplay in a stodgy French defence but his opponent lost on time while looking for the winning move.
6. Paul 1-0 I Urwin (119)
Paul did his best to play a gambit but his opponent insisted that Paul won a pawn instead. Paul gradually consolidated his advantage and won more material.
Next A team match is away to Chorlton on Tue April the 3rd.