Hounslow A 2 Ealing B 4

Thames Valley League Division 2				8th March 2010
Bd	Gd.	Hounslow A		Ealing B	Gd.
1	173	Nurmohamed, Sajid	0-1	Wells, Tony D	182
2	163	White, David J	0-1	Grozdanic, Nevenko
3	165	Fincham, Leon HJ	1-0	Stevic, Malinko
4	168	Staneland, Peter E	0-1	Healeas, Simon	151
5	148	Raynor, Rupert	0-1	Harvey, John T	157
6	146	Zurstiege, Frank	p	Gibbons, C Dale	148
7	138	Miu, Marinel	1-0	Johnstone, Alastair G	133
			2-4

As is so often the case, the scoreline reveals little of the drama that unfolded in a closely-fought contest with profound importance for the battle to avoid relegation. Both sides went into the match in a perilous position with Ealing on 1.5/10 and Hounslow 1/7, Surbiton and Maidenhead aso embroiled in the struggle.

The early signs were not encouraging. I failed to show a captain's example when I messed up a rook and pawn ending after standing better out of the middlegame. At around the same time, Milenko also succumbed to the subtle pressure of Leon Fincham's Catalan set-up. At 2-0 down, it was looking grim for Ealing.

Hopes were rekindled somewhat when Tony delivered victory on Board 1. I saw nothing of the game, but knew that the Hounslow player had been a difficult opponent for Ealing over recent years.

First impressions from the remaining boards were mixed. Nevenko looked to be entering a rook and pawn endgame with slightly the better chances (as though I know anything about such matters!); Simon was typically solid but with his opponent exerting some pressure. John and Dale's positions however were much more double-edged: John's king looked in great peril from a forcing attack while Dale had given up a piece for two pawns without seemingly wresting the initiative for the attack.

John's game was first to come to the boil. His opponent invested material in pursuit of a winning attack, but after successfully repulsing his advances, John's queen penetrated White's defences and delivered a mating attack. Suddenly it was 2-2.

By this stage, the tussle on Board 2 had resolved down to a position where even I could see that Nevenko had a clearly winning advantage and although he gave his captain palpitations by spurning the more straightforward routes to victory, Nevenko nonetheless secured the win to put Ealing in front in the match. Some moments later, time was called and Simon's opponent, having overreached himself proffered a hand in resignation. Dale's game adjourned with chances remaining for both sides but the fightback was complete and the match point already secured.

With four matches remaining, our fate is now in our own hands. Next up: Maidenhead on the 22nd.