On board 1, Eric played against the King’s Indian defense. However, after the opening he still had the control of the centre and a more active bishop than his opponent. The lines opened even more after a pawn exchange in the centre, and with two rooks on the open E-file, multiple tactics became available that allowed him to take a decisive advantage.
On board 2, Robert faced the London as Black. It was a very close middlegame but his opponent slowly built up a better position. Robert lost a pawn but was able to damage his opponent’s pawn structure defending the King as compensation. All the pieces were traded off and Robert entered a seemingly losing endgame until he remembered a tactic he had seen in an endgame manual. By sacrificing two further pawns, he was able to create a passed pawn that couldn’t be stopped from promoting, while his opponent lacked enough tempo to convert her material advantage.
On board 3, Ola played white in a symmetrical accelerated London system. His opponent won a pawn in the early middlegame but Ola had some compensation by occupying two semi-open files with his Rooks, tying his opponent down to defending. However Black defended well and still had a pawn advantage after exchanging pieces. The endgame was a classical rook and pawn endgame where White should be able to hold a draw with best play, but unfortunately Ola blundered and lost the game.
On board 4, Des started with d4 and proceeded along the lines of a Nizmo Indian. Des won a piece for a pawn and started to trade off. An attack developed along the open C-file and his opponent was forced to exchange his Queen for a Rook. More material loss followed and his opponent resigned.
On board 5, Oliver had a swift victory after launching a Queenside offensive after his opponent castled Queenside.
On board 1, Gary’s opponent played the standard London opening and he responded by the book. In the middlegame his opponent advanced his pawns on both sides and while he stayed level in material until the endgame, the engine identified 3 of his moves as mistakes. Eventually his opponent broke through Gary’s poor pawn structure on the Kingside and while he played on in hope, he was outclassed and conceded but checkmate was imminent.
On board 2, Tom opened with E4 and Black responded with G6. The Game remained even until the middlegame, when white had a missed opportunity to go ahead. The game ended after an agreed draw after over 2 hours.
On board 3, Seamus played the Czech Defence and the game ended with 4 pawns each and opposite coloured bishops. A draw was agreed.
On board 4, Harry opened with his version of the English, won pawn early on but then got into trouble and lost the pawn back with a bishop. He was being battered until his opponent left himself open to a back rank mate.
On board 5, Ger was the black pieces against an English opening. It was a tight game but he was able to push a central passed pawn which his opponent had to deal with by sacrificing his bishop. He was able to secure the win in the endgame, but it was hard fought by the opponent.