Champions! We are going up!!!

 Last night saw our Division 2 showdown against Shirley B. We started the evening two points clear of Shirley, with a better (but not decisive) game point difference. Our task was clear. Win, draw or lose 1.5 - 2.5 and we would be champions. If Shirley won 3-1 or better, they would pip us to the post.

I had flown back from  the Menorca Open earlier in the day, somehow managing to miss all the power cut chaos in Spain. I did feel hopeful, as on paper I knew we had a great team. The thing with chess though is that you never know. We resolved to just play our games, but to keep a collective eye as to how the match was progressing. There is always a danger in overthinking these things.

The early play suggested that the night might not be entirely plain sailing. Dave seemed to be a fraction worse on Board 1 against Darren Whitmore, while Paul was really struggling against Owen Adams' Morra Gambit on Board 3. Yet Andy had a clear edge on Board 2 against Keith Ingram and my battle with Dave Thomas did not look like a game I was going to lose. So while not disastrous, the margins felt a little tight.

Time ticked on.

Andy led the way, picking up material and marching a pawn resolutely down the board. Meanwhile, I was a pawn up against Dave and with the better structure, but with opposite coloured bishops. Dave had turned down an early draw, yet when he offered me one now I hesitated. In normal circumstances I would have played it out, as it felt risk free (post-game analysis showed it was all a touch more complicated) but instead I waited and watched Andy's game while my clock ran down. 

Andy had crystalised his position and was a pawn up in a king and pawn endgame. It was impossible for Keith to defend on both sides of the board. I did not have enough time left on my clock for Andy to actually complete the win, but I was very confident that he would, so I took the draw.

A few minutes later Andy had won and we had the one and a half points that we needed to win the title! The evening got even better when Dave, who has done a fantastic job for us, exploited an error from Darren to give us victory in the match itself with a fine win.

Sadly Paul could not hold off Owen but it did not matter - Paul has won us plenty of other matches this season - and we had got the job done!

We had a drink with the Shirley players (including Gordon and Arnold who had been very welcome spectators) in the bar afterwards to collectively reflect on a season now done. Ultimately we had won the title by four points, having beaten Shirley in both our individual matches, and also held off the season long challenge from Coventry.

Next year will bring us an opportunity in Division 1 - we have earnt the chance to show what we can do. These are such exciting times for Kenilworth and truly a golden age for our teams.

A huge thank you to all who have played for the team this season. We've used 12 players and everyone has made a contribution at crucial moments. Our final stats for the year are...

Paul 6/11

Andy 5/11

Ben 7.5/10

Harry 5/8

Dave 3.5/ 5

Rhys 2.5/5

Bernard 2/3

Michal 2/3

Dhairya 2/2

Mike 1.5/2

Dan 1/1

Dylan 1/1

Here's to next season - albeit some of us will be trying to add cup glory to our League success before May is out!