club championship 2008
UPDATE
The Club Championship final was played last night (19 May). Ian Brownlee drew the White pieces, Brian Walls had Black.
The opening was a Nimzo-Indian and Brian emerged from that phase of the game with an advantage. An oversight by Ian enabled Brian to win a pawn and Ian had his back to the wall from then on. Brian's pressure slowly increased and he won a second pawn but later missed a win. Ian found a good try, offering a Bishop to bring about a position in which he could force a perpetual check or stalemate. Brian took the Bishop but Ian, having done the difficult bit, took the wrong route to the perpetual check and the draw, Brian eventually escaping to win the game.
So Lanark Chess Club has a new name on the club championship trophy. Congratulations Brian.
The game (no 28) has been posted on the games page.
The semi final stage of this year's club championship has been completed. In one semi final Alex Mitchell met Brian Walls and the other was contested by Jim Smalls and Ian Brownlee.
The first semi final was a close affair with Alex having an advantage before making a mistake that cost him material. Brian played well to make the most of his material advantage and eventually won the game
The second semi final game was hard fought and ended in a draw. In the replay Jim had an advantage but ran short of time. Ian offered a draw which Jim declined but he had no time left to play the difficult position he now had and Ian duly won.
The final will therefore be between Ian Brownlee and Brian Walls. Neither has won the club championship
before so a new name will appear on the trophy at the end of the season.