Match Report

The fifth annual Town vs Gown match took place just after Easter and it was our biggest ever match; contested over 18 boards. The teams were evenly matched on paper and just a few points were likely to make the difference to the final score.

The highest-rated player on the night was Varsity player Tom Nixon, and he certainly proved his worth on top board. Paul Kemp's years of experience were no match for Tom's powerful and direct play, and the victory on board 1 for the University was both comfortable and convincing. Despite wins for the University on top-board and by their captain, Sean Lip, Cambridge Town managed to equal them point-for-point over the top twelve boards, showing just how close this match was going to be. On the bottom six boards the Town's strength-in-depth started to show. Despite their deceptively low grades, the Town's juniors Ashley Stewart and Chris Davison proved more than a match for their more senior opponents. As the dust settled on round one, the Town had taken a useful 10 - 8 lead.

After a pause for refreshments, the teams came back out for round two. The University top-boards clearly meant business and weren't going home without a fight. Several victories on the top twelve boards would have neutralised their first round deficit, but once again the Town fought back on the lower boards. All three Cambridge juniors scored victories in round 2 and the Town remained firmly in front. By this time just a few games remained unfinished and the University needed to win them all. The Town held firm under pressure and with a succession of draws the Town won the overall match by 20 points to 16.

Philip Fallon
President, Cambridge City Chess Club