18-09-2011, 03:58 AM
Round 6- 7 points. Hamish got a bye but everything's getting counted ! A really good day here but confidence is growing all round and no real surprises for us. Murad completely dominates white side of a sicilian winning in under 2 hours. Anna- always solid, won in a minor piece and pawn endgame. She is showing us a lot of very good signs. Kai- narrowly squeezed out after dropping the exchange but battling on till the end, his overall play and fantastic attitude deserves more points. Jamie, gaining in confidence, traded off to draw with a perpetual after his opponent had a spatial advantage. Cristina, usual dreadful time trouble, blunders, well beaten, until her opponent inexplicably offers a draw. Andrew- Wild game, very double edged. Once the smoke cleared and things settled down, draw agreed. Carl, another whose confidence has grown considerably, always holding blocked bishop and pawn engame a pawn down, draw. Ali, In control throughout against what turned out to be a very aggressive opponent, takes command and finishes her off in 3 hours. Monica, ok I give in, please tell me how someone can improve as much as this in a week ! She is in time trouble on the black side of our prepared najdorf, when her opponent decides to sac her knight for the usual 3 queenside pawns. Monica doesn't panic, consolidates, then uses her extra piece in tactics to win material and win in an easy endgame. We are delighted with our whole setup here. Alan and I are basically working from dawn to dusk and all parents are helping out in any way they can. This squad size is managable as it is but would be pushing it if their were more juniors. We think we have the makings both here and at home of a very good future squad.
Robin.
Robin.