The Naomh Barróg A team traveled to Drogheda on Saturday, November 9th, for probably the most important game of the season. Drogheda are strongest opponents Naomh Barróg will face in the BEA Cup North and as both teams were tied in 1st place, it’s possible that whoever wins this match will win the league.
On board 1, Eric opened with d4 and both players quickly traded to have both bishops attacking each other’s King. According to the engine analysis, his opponent had the stronger attack, but luckily Eric’s opponent offered to trade Queens instead, which resulted in a drawn bishop endgame.
On board 2, Paddy lost his game.
On board 3, Robert played the Advanced Caro-Kahn and as his opponent was focusing on the Queenside, he launched an attack on the Kingside. He gradually increased the pressure before finally sacrificing his Knight to expose the enemy King. A serious of trades lead to a Rook endgame where Robert was up two pawns. However, his opponent fought on and for a time was able to blockade Robert’s pawns from advancing and neutralising his advantage. However, Robert was able to activate his Rook and push his opponent’s King steadily backwards, until cornered by the advancing pawns, it was checkmated.
On board 4, Oliver‘s game started with the London and his opponent tried to create initiative on the Kingside. However, he weakened his pawn structure too much and after losing three pawns, he resigned.
On board 5, Des opened with d4 and neither side had an advantage in the opening. As the the game reached the middlegame, after a flurry of exchanges Des won a pawn on the Queenside and following the exchange of Queens, he converted his extra pawn in the rook endgame.
