Wolverhampton WDCL (Div.1)
116
13 Oct 2011
Wolverhampton took a full strength team to the defending champions for what was expected to be one of the toughest matches of the season. Outgraded by an average of 10.5 points per board, Phil Porter went an early pawn down but was the first to finish, recovering to agree a draw. Dave Wightman followed suit, on an open board where both kings were exposed to repeated queen checks which made it difficult to progress. Gordon Sands fought out a solid draw on Board 6. Rob Marshall went an exchange down on Board 2 while Peter Pearson-Jones agreed another draw in a complex but level position. With time trouble looming, Mike Townsend drew in another level position, leaving just Rob to finish. Now running out of time and still an exchange down, Rob defended accurately and white's attack slowly stalled. After several tense minutes, and with time pressure affecting both sides, a draw was agreed. Thanks are due to Lichfield for a titanic match and a tense finish.
Writeup courtesy of Dave Wightman: