13-09-2011, 06:48 AM
Round 2- Pointswise another bad day but again completely misleading. All games lasted 3 and a half to five and a half hours. Alan's excellent prep was in action all round, and we had a better steadier approach. After 2 hours we were up in 2, level in 6 and down in 2. Then things started to go wrong. Andrew (4 hrs) and Monica (5 hrs) fell for tactics when winning and both lost. Anna dug in for nearly 5 hours against a WFM but couldn't quite hold on, Jamie was better in a Q,R, and P endgame but his opponent managed to swap off queens and narrowly win the ensuing R and P endgame. Carl was fine but lost the exchange in time trouble and couldn't quite hold it. Hamish was always struggling but battled on for over 3 hours. Kai played great again but his Ukrainian opponent just edged him after nearly 4 hours. Christina was fine but, like yesterday, got very short of time and blundered. Ali who had been losing in the worst position of all, dug in, showed her experience and came through to win. Murad was dead level all game but lost in an opposite coloured bishop endgame when his opponent had a much more active king after over 5 hours. We are disappointed that so far our results have not reflected our overall play but spirits are high, coaching and preparation going well and everyone mixing together and enjoying it very much. I am sure the results will come.
Robin.
Robin.