With Harry away, I stepped into the team as captain, perhaps becoming the first player in League history to play Solihull B four times in the course of the season! Having won 0.5 - 3.5 away to Solihull B with the D team recently, and with Solihull's team actually being slightly weaker than on that night, we were certainly hopeful that we would get the job done.
In the end we ran out 0 - 4 victors, but as ever there is always a little more to an evening than the final score. I was the first to finish, against Mike Warden on Board 4. We'd got out of the opening with me having the better pawn structure and some interesting kingside play, and I was manoeuvring to find a break though when Mike attempted to simplify by offering an exchange of queens. In so doing, missing a tactic that enabled me to rip open his king, chase it up the board and deliver checkmate.
Paul finished a few minutes later against Matthew Allen on Board 3, who since his excellent win against Solomon earlier in the season hasn't had much joy against Kenilworth players. Having lost spectacularly quickly against Dhairya last week, there weren't the same fireworks here, but 15 minutes in I thought Paul had a won position. He'd picked up a pawn, had much the healthier queenside structure, and Matthew lacked any obvious counterplay. Following which Matthew proceeded to swap everything off at lightening speed. With no realistic hope left, Matthew slowed his pace, but Paul's excellent technique meant that victory was just a matter of time and by 9.00 we were 2-0 up.
Bernard's game against Akshath Shivakumar on Board 2 ebbed and flowed and was not a great deal of fun to watch. I certainly thought Akshath was better at the halfway stage, and complexities abounded. Bernard gradually assumed control. It seemed to me and Keatan that Bernard missed a stone cold kill, when Rb8 would have lined Bernard's queen, rook and g7 bishop up on white's b2 pawn and king on c1 in a way that would have ended the game on the spot, but chess is always an easier game to watch that it is to play. Bernard might not have been totally clinical, but he still had enough, and around 10.20, he brought home the full point against a very talented junior.
Which just left Keatan against Julian Summerfield on Board 1. Keatan played brilliantly, and in winning deservedly lifted his rating over 2000, which is a tribute to his commitment, talent and dedication this season. I expect when the game is analysed, people will be full of praise for the way in which Keatan slowly squeezed Julian out of squares over approximately 1000 moves. However, as a watching captain, it was nowhere near as much fun in the moment. With the match win so crucial (and Bernard's game uncertain) I found myself praying that Keatan (who was very short of time) did not buckle, as Julian had offered a draw that would have won us the match. Clearly Keatan has much stronger nerves than me, and the way in which he eventually broke through was terrific. He thoroughly deserved his win.
So the best two teams in Division 2 will go head to head for the title and automatic promotion next week. Kenilworth C need to win. For Leamington A a draw will do. It promises to be an interesting evening.
Whatever happens, the team's exploits this season highlight the sheer strength and depth at the club. We have come a long way and can truly celebrate all that has been achieved.
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