SNCL - Rounds 3 and 4

Crawford Macnab

28 January 2024

After the break in November and December it was back to Dunfermline for rounds 3 and 4 of the SNCL.

CSBOS 1 - Stepps

Stepps were stronger on the higher boards with our best chances perhaps being on the lower boards.

I adopted a quiet but steady development plan against my opponents 3..Bg4 in the Scandinavian. Curiously he swapped his white squared bishop for my undeveloped knight on b1 which allowed all my queenside pawns to easily roll forward. His over ambitious g5 pawn push led to a forced checkmate a few moves later.

Jorge had a tough time against IM Douglas Bryson on top board.

Mike had a good position out of the opening but relaxed allowing his opponent to have a rook for bishop advantage. After that his opponent cleverly finished off the game.

Chris reached an opposite bishop and pawn ending where it looked like slightly better located pieces may be enough but this proved not to be the case and a draw was agreed.

Jamie was last to finish and his opponent played very well despite being down to only a few minutes left. Eventually a queen and pawn ending was reached and although Jamie was a pawn up it was too risky to push for a win with both players down to only a few minutes each.

CSBOS 1 - Hamilton A

Both teams were reasonably matched on FIDE grading.

Jamie’s opponent misplayed a line against his Nimzovitch Larsen Attack which lost a piece and despite battling on Jamie converted with ease to finish early.

I allowed my opponent to build up a large pawn push against my castled kingside and never managed to create any counterplay in the centre.

Did not see the other games but three further wins secured a 4 - 1 victory.

CSBOS 2 - Dumfries and District

The second team faced a stronger on grading Dumfries and District team that was full of well established SNCL players.

João had a tactical skirmish that eventually led to having a rook and advanced pawn for two minor pieces. There were other pieces but in the end João repeated moves and accepted a draw.

Richard had a good position against Michael Green and was unfortunate to lose this one.

William was the last game to finish in this round and he played an excellent ending pushing through his advanced pawn. Apparently his opponent gave up his rook for this pawn in the hope that William would need to sacrifice his own rook to stop his passed pawn. William managed to get his knight across towards the pawn and secure the win.

CSBOS 2 - Perth

Did not see much of the afternoon match but another win for William in an great SNCL debut!

Richard was apparently two pawns down in an endgame so was an excellent outcome to get a draw and half the match.

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