Robert Ward Memorial Trophy - Semi-Final: Dave Wightman vs Gordon Sands

 

Dave Wightman faced Gordon Sands for a place in the Final of the Robert Ward Memorial Trophy in what was a re-match of last year's final.  As before, both players were keen to innovate, knowing each other's games so well.  The match soon became a tactical battle, with black conceding a significant space advantage in return for faster development.  White's advanced kingside pawns eventually cramped the black position and forced some backtracking and re-grouping, but it is a dangerous strategy that can lead to pawn structure weaknesses.  When the kings castled in opposite directions, it became a race against time.  White sacrificed a rook in order to build a powerful attack on the queenside against the black king, but the advanced white kingside pawns proved to be crucial as they allowed the black pieces to more rapidly invade the white king's position.  As is often the case in mating races the match was decided by a single tempo, in this case provided by a black knight momentarily obstructing the open a file.  So, Dave Wightman moves on in his defence of the title, but thanks are due to Gordon Sands for providing a strong challenge in a very interesting game.  Good luck in the forthcoming Rock Cup Semi-Final.