Bedford B played their final home match against Milton Keynes B on 3 March.
An unfortunate default meant that the team were on the back foot early in the
match. Alex was first to finish on Board 2 where he faced Phillip Ekhaesomi,
who played in his usual rapid style. Having built up a good advantage out of
the opening, Alex managed to win a pawn. However a sloppy move meant that he
lost a bishop for two pawns. Despite winning back the piece and having queen
and rook lined on the seventh rank there was an easy perpetual check on offer
for Phillip. However, in going for the win Phillip allowed Alex’s king to
march up the board and hide, forcing a win for Bedford.
Marc was involved in a tricky game on Board 4 against Robert Whiteside. Marc won
a knight for two pawns, but his pieces were in a real tangle and his opponent
had a passed a pawn which was marched up the board. However, Marc was able to
untangle his position, and despite a piece sacrifice which saw a final attack
on his king, Marc was able to find safety in the middle of the board and win
the game.
Ravi’s game on Board 5 was a struggle against Ray Holland. After an early
exchange of queens, the middle game saw bishops and knights all over the
board. Unfortunately for Ravi he overlooked a tactic which meant the loss of
at least a piece. Despite heroic attempts to complicate things white’s
position was too solid and a loss was only a matter of time.
Steve’s game on Board 3 held the key to the match. Initially the game was even
but in the middle game Steve missed a tactic which won his opponent a pawn.
From then on it was a question of hanging in. Despite the loss of second pawn
the resulting queen and pawn ending gave the possibility of holding on,
particularly once Steve had opened up the king. Steve sought to weave a web to
obtain perpetual check, but as is often the case in these endings, there is
always a danger of queens being forced off, which is what occurred.
A win for all the white pieces in match, but as we only had two of them, the
result was a narrow 3-2 loss