Tag: pawn

NCCL DIV B ILFORD II 3-2 LOUGHTON I 25.November.2024

(Edited, based on Jef’s notes) Loughton automatically had white on odd boards as the away team in a 5-board match. Time Control: 80 minutes plus 10 seconds a move.

Having had bad trouble at home with no internet & landline, and to lose 1 player in the morning may be considered misfortune. But, to lose another later on (both illness) might be considered foolhardy. Fortunately Lalit and Jiayi were standing by, but had differing fortunes. King’s opening was somewhat poor as he first blundered away a pawn, and then a knight. But not to be outdone, Lalit gave it back, but by then he was so far ahead being pawns up he simply motored up the board with his h-pawn that was virtually unstoppable backed up by a Q&R. Jiayi meanwhile had won a N for 3 pawns and with Jiayi’s q-side defenceless Kestutis not only got the N off the board but queened a pawn as well.

Tony got an awkward position from a lethargic Sicilian Grand Prix Attack, having to nurse doubled b-pawns. With careful defence and a few bits exchanged, the middle game pawn structure locked. Black elected for a draw by repetition rather than open up the game. (position below).

On top board Adlar led the team well sacrificing a N to create a passed pawn and as Middleton fought to hold it back he had to give back his N advantage but it still wasn’t enough as Adlar obtained 2 connected central passed pawns.

So ,with Jef’s game the last to finish, surving on time increments, he pulled off his usual escaping trick of wriggling out of an awful, crippled opening to harass Martin’s pawns. Even when Martin finally managed to create a lone passed pawn backed up by his K&B ,he could never get it passed black’s K&N. A draw was agreed giving us the match.