Match Report (by ) - Linton A 4 v Ely Beet Bishops 1

Any team that can put a 190 player on board 3 is going to make it a tough night.  Linton are in the fortunate position of being able to switch their board order at will, to make them hard to prepare against.

On bottom board, Michael missed a chance to go into a queen and minor piece ending in which only he would have had winning chances.  Mike, on board 3 against Kevin Clark, felt he had had chances, but fell victim to a neat combination that won a rook.  On board 2, Richard played a Scandinavian against Norman Hutchinson.  Richard gave up a pawn, had enough pressure to win it back, but was then left with a weaker position including an isolated central pawn. Norman showed good technique in squeezing out a win in the ending.

On top board, Martyn played yet another line against Paul Kemp's favourite Caro-Kann.  Paul admitted afterwards that White's second move was new to him, but it is an old favourite of Nigel Short's, who had won a widely published game with it just a few months previously.  The game turned into a kind of advanced French, with Paul playing his pieces and pushing his pawns on the queenside.  Martyn was slightly better, but Paul then castled kingside, leaving himself open to a piece sacrifice than forced mate in two moves or won the exchange and a pawn.  It was all over very quickly. 

Overall, though, it was another good night for Linton, and a disappointing one for Ely, who now find themselves again nestling close to the foot of the table.