This key match has almost certainly decided the Beds. League title. It featured probably the highest rated game ever played in the league with IM Mindaugas Beinoras (Lithuania) making his debut for Bedford against Evgeny Tukpetov.
Bedford A 2-3 Leighton Buzzard A
231 Beinoras 0.5-0.5 Tukpetov 229
192 Ledger 0.5-0.5 Williamson 181
186 Botteley 0-1 Law 168
178 Habershon 0-1 Valentine 168
168 Gompelman 1-0 Tinker 161
There were no fireworks on Board 1 and a cautious early draw was agreed.
Steve Ledger could make no progress against Kevin’s doubled pawns and accepted the 17th move draw offer.
It was on Boards 3 and 4 that Mike and Paul were off form and the games here tell the sorry story.
Raymon won the exchange and gained a consolation win in the last game to finish.
Congratulations to Leighton Buzzard on taking their chances so well. Only Bedford B can now trip them on their march to the title.
Paul Habershon