This was a difficult match not so much from the strength of the opposition but the fact that Ealing’s team had to battle through dreadful weather to arrive at Harrow. Public transport suffered from delays and cancellations. Even worse was the atrocious traffic which resulted in three team members arriving very late.

As it happened Ashwin, Jack and I were able to start our matches on time, although I was distracted while waiting for the other team members to arrive. Joe and Paul had to start their games having lost 30 minutes on their clocks. David’s opponent also did not turn up and Harrow thankfully provided a substitute.

It’s possibly not surprising that we lost the match 4.5 to 1.5. However, the games were very close. Ashwin played magnificently against a difficult opponent and he correctly resisted the pressure of the draw being offered to win his game. Joe fought valiantly against time pressure and a stronger opponent and managed a draw.

However, it turned out that David’s opponent (the late substitute) has too strong to have played on Board 2 according to Rule 14 in the League’s Rules and we were able to claim this game as a win. Therefore, we only lost the match 3.5 to 2.5 in the end (see https://lms.englishchess.org.uk/lms/fixture/129815).

David was pleased with his game which chess.com rated as 2250 v. 2000. The game can be followed below.