2020 CHESS WORLDWIDE LEAGUE
Castlehill Chess Club (Dundee) and Dundee Chess Club joined forces once again to take part in this event under the banner “Dundee City”. This is only the second season we have been involved and now have two teams involved.
FORMAT
Time-Control: 10 minutes + 5 seconds increments
You play the same opponent twice (Black & White)
The number of boards per match can vary dependant on numbers
All matches take place on chess.com
ROUND 6
Monday 15th March 21, 6:00pm
Bloemfontein Wild Knights Club (South Africa) 6, Dundee City B (Scotland) 6
Six boards in play.
This was always going to be a close match as both teams before this match were tied on points with the same record after 5 rounds and in =34 place in the league table.
Before the start of the match, Dundee City took a blow as Andre Babin had to withdraw due to feeling unwell. This weakened our side just ever so slightly, but we had quality reserves to take over! This match was also supposed to be over 8 boards as agreed before hand but Bloemfontein only turned up with 6 players which I feel disadvantaged our side as we had the strength in depth. This is my only criticism of this format and tournament. When you agree board numbers they should stand and like any other matches if you fail to for fill those boards you default them! That’s me off my soap box now!
The grading`s were close (ish) but Dundee City B did have the higher grades on five of the six boards! Of course that means nothing as some players have not played enough games on chess.com to get up to their OTB grades, so it’s deceiving!
The first set of six matches ended in a 3 – 3 tie! Amazingly so did the second set of matches (3 – 3) to draw the match six all!
Board 1: Alan Borwell (2001) v (2064) lost both his matches and you will not hear me say that very often! Just one of those nights!
Game One & Game two
Board 2: Dariusz Kosznik (1956) v (1942) Same for Dariusz who also lost both his matches. Indeed it was not Daruisz`s day as he also lost his league match for Castlehill B against young Aaron Gourlay J20 of Perth A, played later that night! Sometimes you just can’t do anything right!
Game One & Game two
Board 3: Michael Grove (1840) v (1795) finished 1 – 1, which given the grades seemed a fair return!
Game One & Game two
Board 4: Graham Mooney (1831) v (1560) turned back the hands of time and won both his matches! That on top of him also was getting his vaccination that day! That was some vaccination, you should take one before every match! Graham and well played!
Game One & Game two
Board 5: Cool hand super junior, Rishi Vijayakumar J9 (1651) v (1450) was too hot to handle for his opponent and took full points! (2 – 0). The improvement in Rishi`s play this year is outstanding! He is still learning and has the odd bad game, but if he can keep progressing like this we really do have a very good junior in the making!
Game One & Game two
Board 6: Robert Jackson (1545) v (1289) was playing his first match for Dundee B in the 2020 and he handled it well especially after losing the first match. He pulled himself together for the second with a nice combination finish! (1 – 1)
Game One & Game two
A draw rather than a defeat is always a good result, especially given how close the sides are in the league before this match! Congratulations to Dundee City B and it’s players on a fine performance. I know they will feel this was a point dropped in some ways, but that’s chess and not everything will go your way every time you play a match. If it did there would be no point in playing chess and to be fair, Bloemfontein played a great game and proved to be our equals and deserved the draw!
Well played team:
(Alan Borwell; Dariusz Kosznik; Michael Grove; Graham Mooney; Rishi Vijayakumar & Robert Jackson!)
The next scheduled match in the 2020 takes place on Sunday 21st March 21 and what a match that will be as Dundee City A take on the impressive super team and current holders, Tiger Sharks (England) in round 6!
One to watch me thinks!
For all the results, pairings and standing please visit the official website of the 2020 chess league (link below)