Streatham 2 won the toss and were white on odds.

 

Latest score: LDCC 3 – 5 Streatham II

 

 

Looking through the Streatham team list I noticed that they were a bit weaker overall than usual as their bottom half of players usually played for their 3rd team. So I thought we had excellent chances of getting a result here as while we were mostly outgraded on the top boards, I was confident that we could keep them at bay there. Alas, it was not to be as results slowly did not go our way.

 

On board 9 Richard W. had a 2 rooks against 2 knights and rook but the knights were strongly placed centrally threatening forks against king and rook and so soon lost. Richard W. shouldn't be too downhearted as I have just discovered that his opponent has so far 7/7 for both the 2nd and 3rd teams in the London League! On board 7 Barry restored some stability with a solid draw as black and on board 5 Neil also drew gainast a player graded 14 points higher.

 

On board 4 Phil as white played the Two Knights' Defence going down a theoretical line where he was a pawn up but not as well developed. At home I checked what the move was that was missed by both of us going through the game afterwards – after castling the move missed was Nc3, aiming for Nd5. So that's two of us that needs their opening repertoire polishing up! Phil could not stop an savage attack on the kingside where his opponent's queen and knight did the damage. My game on board 3 didn't go too well either as I did not win the battle of the centre where with hindsight I should have been braver to play d5 at some point. Under pressure and hence in ridiculous time trouble I fell victim to a kingside attack. Worse was to come when on board 8 James also lost.

 

It was both Peter and Sergey who restored some pride for LDCC winning their games – Peter on board 10 won a nice game with white and Sergey on board 1 as black created a gigantic pawn on d3 and once it was later joined by other pawns supporting it, his opponent threw in the towel. It is rare to see the only wins on the evening coming from boards 1 and 10 for us!

 

This left 2 games adjourned – Chris on board 2 had a promising position and was pressing for a win with more material but his opponent looks like he is forcing a draw with perpetual check. Richard D. also has a promising position where it looks like he will play on. So it's unlikely we can get 2 wins to equalise the match but we won't lose too much ground half way up the Division 3 table.

 

Well done to Sergey and Peter on their wins and thanks to everyone who played.

 

Alasdair MacLeod,
LDCC Captain