For the second time in a month, I played in a Kenilworth team that drew 2-2 with Olton B, as the D team secured a well-earned point last night. This was all thanks to superb efforts from Keatan and Dhairya!
An hour in, Keatan and Phil were both in endgames, while my game and Dhairya's were both barely out of the opening, but ultimately it would prove to be a long evening on all four boards.
I thought Phil was holding Andy Cottam. Even when Andy picked up a pawn, his remaining structure did not look too hot, and I was still hopeful. Despite Phil's best efforts, Andy then played really clinically to bring home the point and to put the visitors 1-0. (Big shout out to Phil though for his fine win against Leamington last week.)
Dhairya then struck the first blow for youth, by finishing next against Warren Archibald on Board 4. I really admired Dhairya's patience, and the way in which he slowly but surely built up an overwhelming position, which he then executed very nicely. An excellent effort to level the score.
Yet the player of the night award must go to Keatan. He turned down a draw in an ending that looked very level, despite being short on time. He then played brilliantly to tie Rob Reynolds in absolute knots, bringing home the full point. This was Keatan's best performance of the season and shows what an asset he is on top board! Exceptional stuff! It was just as well really...
On Board two I was up against Richard Liszweski, who I don't have a very good record against. My previous 7 days had already consisted of (1) Missing a forced win and having to settle for a draw against a much lower rated opponent in the Coventry League (2) Turning out for Shirley in the Birmingham League and going from lost to won, before turning down a draw and losing. So it's fair to say I was not in the best of spirits. As we all know, when you are down, the chess gods generally do not smile on you, and so it proved. We had a very tough game, which swung a bit, but I just seemed to go wrong in the late middlegame. I battled till 10.30, but in some ways the fact that Richard did not close the proceedings out cleanly almost made it more excruciating. Ultimately Richard found a way through to level things up at 2-2. Laughing at the swings and arrows of fate might be a bit much, but I'm doing my best to muster a weak smile!
Still a very good result for the team and that's the main thing! Hats off to Keatan and Dhairya. They say that youth is wasted on the young. That is definitely not the case when it comes to Kenilworth D!
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