Match Report

Match Details
Date Event Home Team Result Away Team
Mon 28th Sep 2009 Sheffield Division 1 Barnsley A 4-4 University A
Board Details
Board Home Player Result Away Player
1 (w) Drabble Andrew ½-½ Chakravorty Prasun
2 Butterworth Andrew ½-½ Arnott Jonathan
3 Pogson Tony ½-½ Chakravorty Mithun
4 Sheard Martin ½-½ Taroyan Youra
5 Hinchcliffe Gary ½-½ Cole Tristram
6 Greensmith David ½-½ Mohammed Azmiddin
7 Farrell Tony 0-1 Veledar Omar
8 Hunter Ken 1-0 Atherton Mark

Match Summary - History repeats itself

The big question this year was what kind of team would University A field? Playing University in the first match of the season no one ever knows. Would last seasons league runners-up unearth some chess star who was just to start university in Sheffield or would they be weakened by some of last years team having finished their courses.

The answer was University were roughly the same strength as previously. The loss of one of their stronger players was compensated by Tristram Cole joining them from Phoenix who were relegated from division one last season.

Despite fielding their strongest side Barnsley A were outgraded on the top five boards but held a grading advantage on the remaining three boards. The odds were slightly in favour of our opponents.

It ensued that history repeated itself. This corresponding fixture last year was also a 4-4 draw but this fixture seemed a more dour affair with only two games having a decisive result.

Boards one, three and five were agreed drawn before the first time control.

Black defended well against whites king side attack on board seven to emerge with the better game and converted this to win. The scores were tied when Ken defeated white on bottom board (see game below).

The next game to be drawn was board six after David tried to assess the remaining games in play.

The match depended on the last two games.

Board two was complicated and unclear with chances for both sides when the points were split.

The final game to finish was board four with white a pawn up in a 2v1 rook and pawn ending. A draw was made with black holding the position and white having not enough time left to better his game.

On the night a draw seemed like a fair result for both sides.

Click here for the game Mark Atherton - Ken Hunter.