The B team’s winning run came to an end on Thursday 19th Feb when we were beaten 3½ – 1½ by a strong Leighton Buzzard A team. All games were closely fought, with the breaks going the way of our opponents.
First to finish was Jack on Board 3. In a cagey game, neither player could find any significant advantage, and a draw was soon agreed.
On Board 2, Gary Kenworthy looked to have weak pawns, but clearly understood the position better than us onlookers. He found an advantage that he gradually exploited to pin Richard back with inevitable result.
Mike had a tough game against John Sharp on Board 1. He had an early attack and sacrificed two pawns. However, his slow development left him in a cramped position and the result looked inevitable.
Ed – My game against Brian Valentine on Board 5 was something of a curate’s egg. Repeating an iffy line of the French Winawer that the two had played before, I ran into some decent preparation giving Brian a significant opening advantage. A small inaccuracy from White allowed me to more or less equalise which, once an opposite coloured bishop ending was contrived, led to a peaceful conclusion despite White having connected passed pawns. I promised Brian I’d publish the game if he won (because he is quite a regular involuntary losing contributor!) – he didn’t so I haven’t! 😉
That left Paul on Board 4, who after a long, fairly even game, managed to get a pawn advantage in a knight and pawn ending. While it might have been enough to win with best play, Paul was running short of time, and as the match was already decided, settled for a draw.
The results in full:-
| Board | Rating | Bedford B | V | Leighton Buzzard A | Rating |
| 1 | 1994 | Mike Botteley | 0 – 1 | Sharp, John R | 2145 |
| 2 | 1968 | Bodily, Richard T | 0 – 1 | Kenworthy, Gary | 2148 |
| 3 | 1750 | Hale, Jack | ½ – ½ | Hunt, Peter | 1983 |
| 4 | 1947 | Habershon, Paul F | ½ – ½ | Law, Stephen | 1963 |
| 5 | 1863 | Pike, Steve C | ½ – ½ | Valentine, Brian J | 1837 |
| Total | 9522 | 1½ – 3½ | 10076 |
Next up is Bedford A on Feb 26th. Should be a big crowd for that!
Rob Walker
21-02-2026