Uckfield 1 v Argumentatives
The first match of the entire season at the new time controls and although these worked fine, everyone played at the default time of G65/30, stopping after 60 moves (in order for us to clear up), the problems with an incremental control...and still having adjudication were demonstrated in spades. Our opponents had the white pieces on odd numbered boards.
Chaski Patrick versus Peter Farr was an English Opening in which Chaski won a pawn. White, however, had some compensation in the two bishops (one very much better than Chaski's remaining bishop) and the possibility of regaining the pawn. Draw agreed.
Arran Airlie versus Roy Page was the game unfinished on the night. Arran's opponent won the exchange, but the position was very closed and no progress was being made as the end approached. However, that's not how adjudication works and the position now goes off for judgement. We are claiming a draw, the Args a win. Computers struggle a little with the evaluation of these positions because the player with the advantage has to give atleast some of that up to penetrate into the other's position. It's tricky...can it be made into a win or is there sufficient counterplay to stop the position being opened up favourably or can it be kept closed? Sooner or later black has to try either advancing b5 or c4 or both. Try it at home; It was adjudicated a draw.
Arran Airlie v Roy Page
Mark Attree versus Paul Kington. I got the worse on the black side of a Queens Gambit Declined, Cambridge Springs Variation and although my opponent traded into a better endgame I just had enough to cover everything. The computer tells me I made a mistake at the end, but we had agreed a draw by then.
Simon McDonald versus Jim Graham. Simon appeared to have a strong attack on his opponent's king and it could be that there is a killer move in there somewhere, not found over the board. Anyway, Jim had a winning position at the end, but he had not kept his eye on the clocks and ran out of time. Unlucky for him, but lucky for us. 1-0. I'm sure this was due to the new time controls and the need to record the moves, even when playing in the 30 second increment, something you just have to get used to.
Stephen Perris versus Michael Harris was the first game to finish, Stephen describing it as being slowly tied up until unable to move anything. Unlucky start to the season for Stephen.
So the match was eventually drawn 2 1/2 each.