Match K – SF

Played 13 August 2019, at Wanstead

It is surprising this doesn’t happen more often: the results in each round were identical.

Wanstead were missing three of their top four players, Writtle were short two.

In Round 1, Hunnable’s loss after blundering a piece was countered by Partha’s win on bottom board, while David Spearman held firm against Ivan. Wanstead then took the lead when Steve beat Edgar, leaving the top board, where John managed to guide the game to a draw against Andy Lewis, fresh from winning the Rapid at the British Championships. So Wanstead held a one point lead, but Writtle had the dreaded Board Count advantage.

At half time, Writtle needed to turn things round, Wanstead wanted more of the same; the Home team were to get their wish – literally.

Round 2 began with two repeated results, on Boards 2 and 5 and a third repeated result on Board 1. So Wanstead were still one up, with two left in play, but needed a whole point from these last two games; Writtle would win if the scores finished level. On Board 4, a R and minor piece ending finished all-square for the fourth repeat result and all attention turned to Board 3, where an ending of N+6P on each side, with few points of access, promised at least the draw Wanstead needed. Edgar naturally declined Steve’s offer, whereupon Steve promptly snatched a defended pawn with his knight since Edgar could not capture without allowing a pawn to queen. Steve, playing on increments, gradually increased his advantage until, with Edgar’s king trapped in front of a pawn on the 7th, Steve delivered mate with his knight; the fifth and final repeat result.

WANSTEAD A advance to the Final with the prospect of a match against WANSTEAD B should they overcome Loughton in the other Semi-Final – playing 28 August.