Spens Cup - loss to Edinburgh B

Crawford Macnab

9 March 2024

Despite drawing 2½ - 2½ against Edinburgh B in the quarter-final of the Spens Cup we lose out on board count.

Thanks again to Edinburgh Chess club for allowing the match to be played at Alva Street even though it was technically our home match.

We were outgraded on all boards, especially the bottom three boards. For those that had FIDE gradings these were used in preference to Chess Scotland gradings.

Unfortunately for Patrick his opponent failed to turn up in time and so we won the bottom board by default. Unlike some criteria the rules here allowed Patrick to claim the game after 30 minutes. His opponent did actually arrive after about an hour and was most apologetic having thought the match was to be played the day after!

Eric had a great win against Calum on board three.

I won a pawn but missed the best square to place my attacked rook to support a breakthrough. Instead Andre got a decent blockade going and played fast to get me in some time pressure. I took a draw.

João had a sacrifice available that would have led to a perpetual. (if I recall what was said!) A few moves later after increasing the pressure the sacrifice was played but no longer worked!

Richard had a complicated game and I think winning but tough to convert with opponent having active rook, bishop and a passed rook pawn. Shame to lose this one but up against a tough young opponent.

A great effort against a stronger team.

We will qualify for jack Campbell rosebowl.

Good luck to Edinburgh in the final.

	Civil Service		Civil Service		Edinburgh B
1	Crawford Macnab	1855(f)	½ - ½	Andre Antunes	1922(f)
2	Richard Scott	1812(f)	0 - 1	Ross Blackford	1887(f)
3	Eric Smith	1601	1 - 0	Calum McGillivray	1813(f)
4	João Reis	1410	0 - 1	Ivar Bundulis	1785
5	Patrick Miller	1413	1d - 0d	Mark Gyalus	1758(f)
				2½ - 2½

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