Broadstairs 4 Bridge 3
| 1 | David Faldon (175) | 0-1 | Vishnu Singh (210) |
| 2 | Trefor Owens (167) | 0-1 | Richard Eales (193) |
| 3 | Shany Rezvany (163) | 1-0 | Patrick Burns (166) |
| 4 | Arnaud Wisman (155) | ½-½ | Alan Atkinson (166) |
| 5 | Bob Page (142) | 1-0 | Jeff Green (e135) |
| 6 | Chris Stampe (124) | 1-0 | Tim Spencer (118) |
| 7 | Gary Hilleard (118) | ½-½ | Peter Blundell (117) |
David Faldon writes:
It’s not a misprint and it’s not fake news – Broadstairs have won an away Millar Cup match at Bridge! This is the first time this has happened since, well, ever. Hearty congratulations to all the players, and especially to the five who actually won or drew. Bob’s win on board 5 got things rolling in the right direction. Bob won a pawn early and then a piece and the game was over before some of the other players had swapped their first pawns. The two top board games were next to finish. Two interesting games but two losses. Comparing impressions afterwards over a consoling cup of tea, Trefor and I tested our predicting skills on the remaining games. I guessed one win (Chris was a clear pawn up) and three draws (yes, Shany was a pawn up too, but the position looked blocked) which if correct would have given a drawn match, while Trefor went for two wins and two draws. Luckily Trefor proved the better prognosticator: Chris and Shany both skilfully converted their extra pawn into wins and Gary (a late substitute on board 7) settled for a draw after pressing hard throughout the game. That left Arnaud on board 4, deep in a blocked up knight and bishop ending. Arnaud won a pawn but then agreed a draw as time ran down to bring home the win for the team. A splendid result. Many thanks to all the Broadstairs players, and especially to Trefor for driving. And many thanks to Bridge. As usual, they made us feel very welcome and even provided tea, coffee and biscuits.
Editor’s note: This was a great night for Broadstairs Chess Club, especially for the three ‘rebels’ as Graeme Boxall described them! There is no doubt that all three wanted to win and the tension as all the Broadstairs players gathered around the final game at the end with just a draw required for victory but Arnaud desperate to beat Alan was palpable. Well played, everyone.