Ealing C 4 - Richmond D 2
: Created:10 Dec 2009 , byAnother good win for our third team in the Thames Valley league.
Captain Geoff Richards writes:
Our final match of the year resulted in a 4-2 victory over Richmond D at the Harvester last Thursday night. Aside from giving us a perfect 4/4 start to the current season and leadership of the third division it means that we have achieved an (almost) perfect record for the calendar year 2009 (nine wins, one draw and no defeats!). An excellent achievement by all concerned.
On board 6 my opponent found himself at a late stage being elevated to the Richmond A team, playing our own A team in the same room. I therefore sat opposite an empty chair for half an hour before claiming the game by default. 1-0 to Ealing.
Playing on board 5 was new member Martin Loat, by his own admission a little "ring rusty", but this did not prevent him from comfortably disposing of his opponent. 2-0 to Ealing.
Playing on board 4 was Jerry Ball, a stalwart of the team last season but making his first appearance this season. Jerry's opponent answered his favourite French Defence with the exchange variation and a complex middle game ensued with Jerry a pawn up. The game resolved into a pawn queening race with Jerry one step ahead and eventually skewering his opponents newly created queen on the same file as his king. 3-0 to Ealing.
On board 4 Steve Gibbs never quite managed to catch up a 15 minute late start on the clock but was anyway in a difficult position when his flag fell and lost on time. 3-1 to Ealing.
On board 3 Jason Obihara contrived a K+4P v K+3P ending but despite trying manfully could not convert it to a win and had to settle for the half point. 3.5 - 1.5 to Ealing and the match won.
You just cannot keep Raj Jhooti out of the limelight. On board 1 he had for much of the evening a tight and materially even game against his 154 rated opponent that suddenly degenerated into an undignified and frenetic rapidplay finish. Raj managed to maintain his composure such that his opponent's flag was the first to fall but as he had only a K v his opponent's K + Q the game was declared drawn.