A fine game ended in a win for Ian Clark against Allan Pleasants on the Saturday evening. It might have resulted in a draw but for an error at the end by Allan, who was quite tight on time. The win meant Ian shared the Championship lead with Martin Simons and they played in the next round and it was a draw
This long game was a decider in round 5 of the Minor. Although materially down, Keith Spooner mounts a spirited Queen's side attack which tests black and keeps the result in doubt - so much so, it was the last game to finish in both the round and Congress. Had Keith won, he would have shared 1st pace. Instead Cornelius Cornes went on to deservedly win the Minor - and also the veterans trophy
A defining game in the 5th and final round of the Championship saw a Blackmar Diemer Gambit, boldly played by eventual Dorset Individual Champion Martin Simons against William Adaway. A short, but interesting game especially characterised by black's 4...c6 and 5....Bf5. Both players felt that a draw was a fair outcome, although also believing black may have had slightly the better of the final position
The outcome of this 2nd round game between Andy Heard and Colin Grant in the Major was significant as these 2 players eventually shared 1st place, although Colin was declared the Major Champion - because of his superior progressive scores. Queen's pawn opening, with each player attacking down opposite flanks. Black (Colin) gets there first against the exposed white king for 0-1
The 5th and last round of the Championship brought Martin Clancy v Ian Clark. Both had aspirations to win the Individual Championship either outright or shared. Ian played a Sicilian Najdorf and a long and exciting game ensued
Both Martin and Ian sent in analysis on the above game. Here are Ian's notes:- (1546930) Clancy,Martin (167) - Clark,Ian (178) [B95] Dorset Closed (5), 01.02.2015
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7 7.Be2 e6 8.f4 Be7 9.0–0 Qb6 10.Kh1 Qxb2 11.Qd2 Qb6 12.Rab1 Qc7 13.Bf3 0–0 14.f5 Ne5 15.Nce2 Nxf3 16.gxf3 e5 17.Nb3 Bd7 18.Rg1 Rfc8 19.Bh6 g6 20.fxg6 fxg6 21.c3 Bc6 22.h4 Qd7 23.Rg3 Nh5 24.Rg4 Nf6 25.Rg3 Nxe4 26.fxe4 Bxe4+ 27.Kh2 Bxh4 (?? Bxb1 +7 I was concerned about Qd5 Kh8, Qf7 Rg8, Bg5 I thought winning piece back but we all overlooked Rg7 just winning) 28.Rf1 Bxg3+ 29.Nxg3 Bc6 (?Qg4 much better but now only slightly better and pressure of having to win is telling ) 30.Qg5 Rf8 31.Rxf8+ Rxf8 32.Bxf8 Kxf8 33.Na5 Bd5 34.c4 Bf7 35.Ne4 Qc7 36.Qh6+ Ke8 (?? Ke7 was still level now -5 ) 37.Nxb7 Bxc4 38.Nbxd6+ Kd7 39.Qxh7+ Kc6 40.Qxc7+ (Qxg6 and white will win ) 40...Kxc7 41.Nxc4 Kc6 42.Kg3 Kd5 43.Ned2 Kd4 44.Kf3 g5 45.a4 e4+ 46.Ke2 g4 47.Nd6 e3 48.Nf5+ Kc3 49.Nxe3 Kb4 ( Draw agreed - but have shown suggested moves by fritz after ) 50.Nxg4 Kxa4 51.Kd3 Kb5 52.Nb1 a5 53.Ne3 Kc6 54.Ke4 Kd6 55.Nd5 a4 56.Na3 Ke6 57.Nc3 Kd6 58.Kf5 ( and according to fritz with best play mate in 86 moves !! ) ½–½
5th and last round game in the Championship between Kenny Harman and Steve Peirson. French Defence, Advance Variation
In the Major, Roger Knight lost in the 1st round to Paul Errington, but in the next 4 rounds went on to take 3.5/4 and share 1st place. Here is his last round win against Adrian Harman-Bishop, himself challenging for the Major Championship. Smith-Morra Gambit with winning kingside attack from white, following attacking play
The Wimborne player Mike Davidson has just returned to playing chess after a break of 50 years. In this 5th and final round game in the Minor he more than holds his own against the 2014 Minor Champion David Burt. Despite being materially down, David uses his experience and patience to force a mate. A game that was a credit to the Minor.
These notes have been submitted by Martin Clancy from his 4th round Championship win against Allan Pleasants, whom he describes as a "very strong player". Martin saw this as his best game of the congress.
20.Kb1+– Qa5 21.Be2 [Better still is what I'd
originally intended ¹21.Qd6!? but I didn't get close to finding the engine line
:-) 21...Rxb3+ 22.cxb3 Qxc3 23.Bc4 Nxc4 24.Qxc6+ Ke7 25.Qc5+ Kf6
26.Rhf1+ Kg6 27.Qxc4 Qxc4 28.bxc4+– However in a lot of my games I find a piece
at the end unmoved or it arrives at the battle too late. I'm consciously trying
to get all my chaps out and about. I played Be2 to get it involved and until it
moves I'm essentially paying a rook down. ]
21...0–0± 22.Nd5 [I was very pleased to find
Nd5 but the correct route is the prosaic 22.Rhf1!? Rxf1 23.Rxf1±]
22...exd5= 23.Qxe5 Ba6 [I didn't consider what
looks to be a saving line 23...Bf5 24.exf5 Rbe8 25.Qd6= Rf6 26.Qg3 Rxe2=]
24.Bxa6² Qxa6 25.Qe6+ Kh8
26.exd5 Rf6 [Black
should draw with 26...Rxb3+ 27.cxb3 Rf2 when white has to take the draw
with 28.Qe8+ Kh7 29.Qe4+ Kg8 30.Qa4=]
27.Qe5 [I'd finally seen the impact
of Rxb3 but sadly my move still doesn't prevent it equalising!]
[The best for white is
27.Qe3 cxd5 28.Rxd5 Rf1+ 29.Rxf1 Qxf1+ 30.Kb2 Qxg2±]
27...Qb5 [27...Rxb3+! still works
28.cxb3 Rf2 29.Qe8+ (29.Qa1 Qe2) 29...Kh7 30.Qe4+ Kh8=]
36...Kg8 37.Rd8+ Rxd8
38.Rxd8++– Kh7 39.Qd3+ g6 40.Qd4 Rg7 41.h4 Qa7 42.Qe5 [better still is ¹42.Qd6 Qe7
43.Qb8+–]
42...Qg1+?? [the losing move ]
[42...Rg8 43.Rxg8 Kxg8 44.g5
hxg5 45.hxg5+–]
43.Ka2 [I'd been planning Kb2 for
the last 15+moves but when the chance comes to play it I find a weaker
alternative! ¹43.Kb2 Qb6 44.Qe8 Qf6+ 45.Ka2 Qxd8 46.Qxd8+–]
43...Qxg4?? [After whites inaccurate
last move, c2 is unprotected which allows 43...Qf2! 44.Rc8 a4 45.bxa4
Qf7+ 46.Ka3 when there are chances for black to prolong the struggle.
46...Qd7+–]