04-04-2012, 09:32 PM
Round 9
Needing a big win against Steiermark (Austria), Scotland 1 started slowly with a draw from Phil. I got a big attack going and twice gained the exchange but ran out of pieces and time so was forced to agree a draw too. Peter was hitherto unbeaten with 3 straight wins and 4 straight draws but it wasn't his day and his first loss meant we couldn't win the match. Gerald was in difficulties throughout and eventually lost too. Final score: 1-3 and a disappointing 27th place finish.
As usual Scotland 2 were playing higher graded opposition, Matadore Rheinland (GER); but as usual they were making a fight of it. George drew and Douglas won; both Steve and Ian had chances before going down. Final score 1½-2½ and 1 place higher than their seeding.
Russia 1 and St Petersburg both finished on 15/18 with Russia 1 taking the gold on game scores; for the second year running Montenegro took bronze. But the biggest cheer of the day was for octogenarian Victor Korchnoi who took the top board prize with 7½/9. Physically he is very frail, (I would be surprised if we see him next year), but he still has that incredible will to win.
Korchnoi is by no means the oldest competitor- that honour goes to Andreas Dueckstein of Austria Wien who is in his 90's yet scored 5/9.
Needing a big win against Steiermark (Austria), Scotland 1 started slowly with a draw from Phil. I got a big attack going and twice gained the exchange but ran out of pieces and time so was forced to agree a draw too. Peter was hitherto unbeaten with 3 straight wins and 4 straight draws but it wasn't his day and his first loss meant we couldn't win the match. Gerald was in difficulties throughout and eventually lost too. Final score: 1-3 and a disappointing 27th place finish.
As usual Scotland 2 were playing higher graded opposition, Matadore Rheinland (GER); but as usual they were making a fight of it. George drew and Douglas won; both Steve and Ian had chances before going down. Final score 1½-2½ and 1 place higher than their seeding.
Russia 1 and St Petersburg both finished on 15/18 with Russia 1 taking the gold on game scores; for the second year running Montenegro took bronze. But the biggest cheer of the day was for octogenarian Victor Korchnoi who took the top board prize with 7½/9. Physically he is very frail, (I would be surprised if we see him next year), but he still has that incredible will to win.
Korchnoi is by no means the oldest competitor- that honour goes to Andreas Dueckstein of Austria Wien who is in his 90's yet scored 5/9.