We duly drew our Rd 5 match against Thüringen, with our rampant GM, Jim Plaskett scoring our only win against GM Peter Enders. I sat out our Round 6 encounter against Leipzig, but the team did the necessary as wins on Boards 1 and 2 were enough to see us home 2.5-1.5.
Meanwhile I was undergoing intensive sightseeing in Dresden, which is not called Paris on the Elbe for nothing. Even my cheap phone and poor photographic skills can't entirely hide its glories (though as you'll see, I tried my best!).
Despite being only just behind the front runners, we managed to get a reasonably favourable pairing in Rd 7 yesterday, against Ulm. For once GM Plaskett didn't chalk up his customary 1-0, but we still edged home 2.5-1.5. I drew against a 2200+ player after having slight pressure for most of the game, without it ever threatening to become a decisive advantage.
Which brought a stunning pairing today - against the all GM team from Armenia on Board 2, with the match going out live around the world. But why am I telling you this? I know you will have been watching and supporting! In which case, you didn't do a very good job. We fell to a predictable defeat, but not before Plaskett had absolutely destroyed Vaganian on Board 1 with immensely powerful play. Regrettably the 200-400 grading point deficit on the other 3 boards proved unbridgeable. However, I was +1 out of the opening (with Black) against GM Sergey Galdunts, and was still level late into the game, even after I had made an ill fated queen sortie. Eventually my poor queen position forced me to e to jettison a piece for two pawns, but only two moves before resignation I could have made it RRB and 3 against RR and 6, but in bad time trouble I walked into immediate loss instead of taking a third pawn for the piece. Still, it was a competitive game, and not as one sided as I might have feared. Nevertheless, it was still my first loss, so it hurt a bit.
Well, the adventure is almost over, and in tomorrow's final round we play yet another German regional team, this time the 11th ranked Hessische Seniors, who comprise 2 x 2300+ FMs and 2 x 2200s. Meanwhile, England 1 have put themselves in with an excellent chance of a medal by winning 3 of their last 4 matches, including todays 2.5-1.5 victory over top seeds, Iceland - and this despite resting John Nunn. Jon Speelman was the hero, winning the only decisive game on Board 1 against former World Championship Candidate, Johann Hjartarson. And tomorrow they have a dream pairing against Ulm, who we beat yesterday.
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On their way to victory in the England 2 v Leipzig match - FM Andrew Lewis (left) and GM Jim Plaskett (right)
Below are:- (1) Dresden Opera House (2) Zwinger Palace Gardens (with Mrs Club Organiser talking her own photo, left) (3) Frauenkirche (destroyed 1945, rebuilt 1990s)    |
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