14 March 2020 - County U-180s - Essex v Kent

County Under-180s - Essex v Kent

Saturday 14 March 2020

White: C Hampton (171) - Black: Keith Nevols (161)

Dutch Defence

A trip to Wealden and I find myself on board 6, due to a number of withdrawals. The coronavirus was beginning to take effect with 50 cases around the country, so there were no shaking hands, but I readied myself for a tough battle as it proved to be.

1. d4 f5

2. Nc3 d5

Setting up the Dutch Stonewall defence.

3. Bf4 a6

To prevent 4. Nb5. The other option is 3. ... Nf6 4. Nb5 Na6.

4. e3 Nf6

5. Nf3 e6

6. Bd3 Be7?!

The immediate 6. .. c5 is more active and energetic. My failure to get this move in early will cause problems.

7. O-O O-O

8. h3 

This reminded me of a game against Keith Hyde who followed up an h3 with g4, although he had not castled and used the rook on h1 to get a good attack. I decided to block the d3-h7 diagonal as soon as possible.

8. .....  Ne4

9. Ne2! 

I was a bit nervous about 9. g4 but can meet it with 9. .. c5. White adopts a good plan, to withdraw the knight and prepare c4 to hit Black's centre.

9. .. .. Bd7?

Missing another chance for ... c5. I am trying to activate the bishop by moving to e8 and h5 but do not have time for that. 9. ... Nd7 is another better move, but that comes next.

10. c4 Be8

11. Ne5 Nd7

I also gave a lot of thought to 11. .. Nc6

12. f3 Nef6

13. Qc2 

13. Qb3 has worried me, although the engine spots the remarkable 13. .. Nxe5 14. Bxe5 b5!? 

I had a long think here on how to combat the threats along the b1-h7 diagonal as well as to the d5 point and down the c-file. This was another opportunity for a Black c5. 13. .. dxc4 14. Bxc4 Nd5 allows White to win a pawn with 15. Nxd7 Qxd7 16. Bxd5 exd5 17. Qxc7 so I decide to add some extra security to the c-file, and the c7 square, as well as think about c5.

13. ....  Rc8

14. c5 

I was relieved to see this, as I thought easing the tension in the centre might be to my advantage and help me defend, but in fact White has a queenside offensive planned.

I did wonder about 14. e4 but lots of exchanges and the opening of the centre is no worries. The best move for White is 14. Bh2! which frees the f4 square for the knight. Black could then try 14. .. g5 which White might meet with 15. g4

14. ....  Nxe5

Gets rid of one piece and frees a square.

15. Bxe5 Bd7?

Black is on the ropes so it is hard to give good advice but 15. ... Nd7 hoping for another exchange is a better move and if 16. Bg3 then 16. .. Bg5.

The text is a mistake, as it is a further waste of time. White has two options for a strong initiative. One is 16. g4, and he takes the other.

16. a4! Qe8

Planning to counter attack on the kingside.

17. b4 Qh5

18. b5 axb5

Opening the a-file is just to White's advantage, but I could see a way to defend.

19. axb5

19. .... c6

20. b6?

Played immediately, but both of us had overlooked 20. Ra7. There is no way to defend the b-pawn and 20. .. cxb5 21. Rxb7 Qe8 22. Nc3 and White will roll up the position from the left.

20. ..... Rce8

21. Ra7 Bc8

This was the position I had foreseen when playing 17. .. Qh5. The bishop on c8 is in a shocking position. However, White cannot yet do anything about it. The position is closed, his rook on a7 is not exactly doing a great deal, and White is unable to exploit his space advantage on the queenside nor its control of the h2-b8 diagonal.

In my thoughts were how to get on the counter attack.

22. Nc1 Nd7

First plan: exchange off or move that bishop.

23. f4 Nxe5

24. fxe5 Bg5

The bishop on c8 is now even worse, boxed in by pawns. However, my queen is well placed.

25. Rf3 Qh4

26. Qf2 Qh6

27. Ne2 Be7

Clearing the way for the g-pawn to advance.

28. Ra1 Bd7

29. Ra7 Bc8

I did not like 29. .. Rb8 30. Ba6 Bc8 31. Bd3 which moves my rook to the wrong side of the blocking bishop.

Here I expected 30. Ra1 Bd7 31. Ra7 Bc8 repeating for a draw which I would have taken.

30. Kf1 g5

In for a penny.

31. Qg1 

A poor square for the queen but anticipating the opening of the h-file and preventing Qh1+.

31. .... g4

32. hxg4 fxg4

33. Rxf8+ Rxf8

34. Nf4?! 

The engine prefers 34. Ke1. I might have followed with 34. .. Bg5 35. Kd2 Qh4.

Now here was time for another epic think. By now, most games had finished and a crowd had gathered round.

My first thought was - does Rxf4 force a draw? I looked at 34. .. Rxf4+ 35. exf4 Qxf4+ 36. Ke2 Bg5 but then saw that White has 37. Ra2 and it is game over. (Black could fight on with 37. .. Kg7 to avoid the bishop getting pinned but he would effectively be a rook down and 38. Qf2 might well be good enough).

Having rejected that, I did not want White to play g3 himself, as that would anchor up the f4 point and I was not sure I could breakthrough.

So, the only other option, was to play it myself.

34. ........g3!

The engine thinks 34. ... Rxf4+ was the only chance to play for a draw, but I liked this move. It gives me some white squares in which I could perhaps use the queen, and also the possibility of an entry square on f2 - these two points were exactly what happened in the course ahead.

35. Ke2 Bg5

36. Nh3 Qh5+

37. Kd2 Qg4

I expected 38. Ra4 after which I would have tried to free the bishop with 38. .. Bd7.

38. Ra1?? 

Proof that fortune favours the brave, or rather favours the fortunate.

38. ......  Qxd4

White had overlooked this.

39. Re1 Qxe5

This is OK but 39. .. Qb2+ is another way to win.

At this point, while White was thinking, my team captain told me that we needed to win both remaining games to draw the match. No pressure, then, although I was by now sure I had a win.

40. Nxg5 Rf2+

41. Re2 Qb2+

42. Bc2 Rxf2+

43. Kxf2 Qxd2+

My intended combination, after Rf2+ but 44. Ke1 Qc1+ picking up the queen. I had not seen that 44. Kf3 was possible but then 44. ... Qf5+ would pick up the knight.  White decided to resign.

As for the other game, that was a draw, so we lost the match 8.5-7.5.

A very pleasing win, and my fourth over a 170+ player in the last three weeks. I was not to know it but, due to the coronavirus outbreak, which caused the lockdown ten days later, this was my last over-the-board game for 17 months - and thus concludes my second chess blog.

12 March 2020 - Swale Club Championship - Round Fourteen

 Swale Club Chess Championship - Round Fourteen

Thursday 12 March 2020

White: Keith Nevols (161) - Black: Tyrone Jefferies (114)

Alekhine's Defence

1. e4 Nf6

Another Alekhine! More quiet development.

2. d3 d6

3. Nf3 e5

4. g3 Nc6

5. Bg2 Be7

6. O-O Be6

7. Re1 Qd7

8. c3 h6

9. N1d2 

9. d4 would have been a follow-up of White's last move. 

9. ...... Nh7

Black adopts a curious strategy of trying to exchange pieces, develop an initiative while keeping the King in the centre.

10. Nf1 Ng5

11. Ne3 Nh3+

12. Kf1 Ng5

12. .. h5 would have been a consistent follow-up. White should then counter in the centre with 13. d4.

13. d4 Bh3

14. dxe5 Bxg2+

15. Nxg2 

There was no reason to fear 15. Kxg2 Qh3+.

15. ......Nxf3

16. Qxf3 Nxe5

The position is now equal. Neither side has any clear weaknesses, except that Black needs to decide what to do with his King.

 

17. Qf5 

I regretted this move as I played it, as I thought 17. .. Qxf5 is good for Black. However 18. exf5 Kd7 seems to be fine. An interesting line is 19. f4 Nf3 20. Rxe7! Kxe7 21. h3 and eventually collecting the knight.

17. ...... Qb5+ 

18. Re2 g6

19. Qh3 Qd3

I was concerned about 19. .. d5 although 20. exd5 Qxd5 21. Bf4 seems to be OK. I am still struggling to get the queen back in the game however and Black's activity is rather worrying.

20. Nf4 Qf3

21. Qg2 

At last. A chance to get the queens off.

21. .....c6

22. Qxf3 Nxf3

23. Kg2 Ne5

Now I can rest a little easier. Black's slight weaknesses are the pawn on d6 and the King still in the centre. 24. a4 taking space, 24. b3 covering the c4 square and with Ba3 in mind, or 24. Be3 developing the bishop are all recommended. But I wanted to exchange the knight.

24. Rd2 h5

25. Nd3 O-O-O

26. Nxe5 dxe5

Black has successfully got rid of the weakness on d6. 

27. Rxd8 Rxd8

28. Be3 b6

The game is now dead level. I have to find a way to probe.

29. a4 Kb7

30. Kf3 g5

31. Ke2 f6

32. a5 c5

33. f3 Rd7

34. axb6 axb6

35. Rh1 Rd8

36. h4 Rh8

37. Kd3 b5

38. c4 b4

39. Kc2 Kb6

No way through there.

40. Rd1 Kc6

41. Rg1 Rg8

Obviously 42. hxg5 would be a mistake as after 42. ...... fxg5 Black has the possibility of a passed pawn on the h-file.

42. Kd2 g4

43. f4? 

A slight inaccuracy. 43. Ke2 is better.

43.. Rd8+ is now good for Black. 44. Ke2 exf4 45. Bxf4 Rd4 or 44. Kc2 b3+! 45. Kc3 f5!

43. ...... Bd6

44. Rf1 Ra8

45. Kc2 Rh8

46. fxe5 Bxe5

47. Bf4 Bd4

48. Re1 Re8

49. Re2 Kd7

The computer ranks Black as better here as a result of White's drifting.

50. Kb3 Kc6

51. Re1 Re6

52. Kc2 Kd7

53. Kb3 Re8

54. Kc2 Kc6

55. Kb3

And the players agreed a draw.

In the final position. Black has a slight advantage due to the weakness of the White pawns. However, it would be hard to break down the White defence.

11 March 2020 - Stevenson - Rainham v Swale

Stevenson - Rainham v Swale
Wednesday 11 March 2020
White: Keith Nevols (161) - Black: Martin Taylor (220)
Alekhine's Defence

A very tough opponent for a visit to Rainham.

1. e4 Nf6

Alekhine's Defence - an opening I know nothing about! So play slowly at first.

2. d3 e5

3. Nf3 Nc6

4. g3 d5

5. Nbd2 Be7

6. Bg2 O-O

7. O-O Re8

8. Re1 

Both players have been reluctant to release the tension in the middle of the board, but now 8. .. d4 would close down the centre and White would have to waste a move with Rf1 if he has any f4 ideas.

8. ......Bf8

9. h3 a5!

Gaining space and preparing some initiative.

10. Nh4? 

In trying to find something to do, White places the knights on the edges. 10.exd5 Nxd5 11. Ne4 gives the knight a better square.

10. ..... Be6

11. Nf1?! dxe4

12. dxe4 Qxd1

13. Rxd1 Nd4

14. Ne3 

Better is 14. Bg5 as White can meet 14. ... Nxc2 with 15. Rac1 Nd4 16. Rxc7 or 15. .. Nb4 16. Bxf6 gxf6 17. Rxc7 Nxa2 18. Ne3! coming to d5 or f5 with some compensation. The computer rates this position as equal.

14. .........Ne2+

15. Kf1 Nxc1

16. Rdxc1 c6

17. Rd1 g6

Black is much better now. Both White knights are on poor squares. White tries some grovelling.

18. Nf3 Nxe4

19. Nxe5 Bxh3

20. Bxh3 Rxe5

21. Nc4 Rc5

22. Nb6? 

It is hard to give White advice in such a rotten position. The computer suggests 22. b3 b5 23. Bg2 Nxg3 24. fxg3 bxc4, or 22. Na3 Bg7 23. c3 Nxc3! 24. bxc3 Rxc3 25. Rab1 Rxa3 26. Rxb7 Rxa2.

22. ...... Ra6

23. Bg2 Nxf2!

24. Nd7 Nxd1

25. Rxd1 Rxc2

26. Nf6+ Kg7

27. Ne8+ Kh6

Now three pawns down - with more to follow - White can resign.

28. Rd7 Rb6

29. b3 Rxa2

30. Rxf7 Rxb3

31. Be4 Rbb2

And checkmate is very near. A truly awful White performance.

2 March 2020 - En Passant - Snodland v Swale

En Passant - Snodland v Swale
Monday 2 March 2020
White: Keith Nevols (164) - Black: George Hollands (172)
French Defence

Just a few days after meeting George in Maidstone, now here we are playing in Snodland

1. e4 e6

2. d3 

I thought I would give the King's Indian Attack a try.

2. ...... d5

3. Nd2 Nf6

4. Nf3 Be7

5. g3 c5

6. Bg2 b5?!

Now this was unexpected - castling is more normal. With the white bishop on g2, Black weakens his diagonal.

7. O-O a5

Well, this looks interesting. The charge of the pawn brigade.

8. Ne5 

Deciding to open things up quickly. The engine recommends 8. exd5 exd5 9. c4 to hit at the d5 square and not giving Black time to settle.

8. .....O-O

9. f4 

Again White could consider c4, although the position is equal.

9. ......Qb6

10. Kh1 Nbd7

11. Qe2 

Defending the e-pawn and allowing Nf3 to be played.

11. ..... d4

12. a4! 

I was pleased to find this move which has the aim of placing a knight on c4.

12. ......Nxe5

13. fxe5 Nd7

14. Nf3? 

..... but completely inconsistent with the previous plan. 14. axb5 Qxb5 15. Nc4 and White is ready to start operations on the kingside. I think I was worried about 14. axb5 Nxe5 but then 15. Nc4 Nxc4 16. dxc4 e5 seems secure enough.

14. ......b4

15. b3 Qb8

16. Bf4 

16. g4 is interesting with the plan to play Bf4 and then drop back with Bg3. There is no need to be worried about 16. ....Nxe5 as after 17. Nxe5 Qxe5 18. Bf4 Qf6 19. e5 White can collect the rook on a8.

16. ...... Bd8

Re-routing the bishop to a better diagonal.

17. Nd2? 

I was running out of ideas so sacrifice the pawn. The computer spots 17. Qe1! - the point being that after 17. .. Bc7 18. g4 Nxe5 19. Qg3 is good for White bulding an attack on the kingside.

17. .........Nxe5

18. Qh5 Bc7

19. Bxe5 Bxe5

20. Nc4 Bd6!?

An interesting exchange sacrifice. 20. .... f6 looks odd but is the best move. 20. .. Bc7 21. e5 Bb7 is also OK.

Should I take the exchange? Yes, why not? My logic was that if I am going to be under pressure, then I might as well be material up for it.

21. Nxd6 Qxd6

22. e5 Qa6

23. Bxa8 Qxa8+

24. Kg1 Bb7

I was worried about 24. .. Qd5 with the threat of Bb7 and also hitting the pawn on e5. If 25. Qe2 Bb7 26. Kf2 f5 and Black has full compensation.

25. Rf2 

I gave a lot of thought to 25. Qg5, the point being to guard the d8 square which the Black queen might use to enter the White kingside. 

The computer recommends moving the h-pawn to give a bit of air to the King.

25. .........Qd8

26. Re1 Qd5

27. Kf1 f6

27. .. f5 is better because now White can play 28. g4 defending the queen and breaking the pin in the f-pawn.

I decide to sacrifice the pawn in return for exchanging some pieces.

28. Qg4 fxe5

29. Rxf8+ Kxf8

30. Qe4?

30.Re4 Qd6 31. Rf2 and then coming to the f-file is more accurate.

30. ...... Qxe4

At this point, Black offered a draw. I declined, thinking I had the advantage. However, without the queens, and establishing a pawn majority on the queenside, Black is clearly better now and he manages to turn it around.

31. dxe4 Ba6+

32. Kf2 c4

33. Kf3? 

Wrong direction. White should play 33. bxc4 Bxc4 34. Rb1 and then Ke1 and Kd2.

33. ...... Ke7

34. Rd1

And now it is my turn to offer the draw, but Black has the advantage and turned the offer down, as we enter an endgame of mutual mistakes.

34. ..... d3?

34. .... c3 and then advancing the king while preparing d3 is the best plan. There's not a lot White can do.

35. cxd3 c3?

35. .... cxb3 is more accurate.

36. Ke3 Bb7

37. Rc1 Kd6

38. Rc2 Bc6

39. Rf2?? 

White should sit still with 39. Ke2 - but I was completely shocked by the next move.

39. .........Bxa4!

Of course! Black now has a won game. Obviously 40. bxa4 b3 and it's all over.

40. Ra2 c2??

And Black blunders in return. 40. .. Bxb3 41. Rxa5 Bd1! keeps the White king at bay and the pawns can just roll home.

41. Kd2 c1(=Q)

42. Kxc1 Bb5

43. Kd2 a4

44. bxa4 b3

45. Ra3 b2

Black makes the third draw offer of the game but the win for White is clear now.

46. Kc2 b1(=N)

47. Kxb1 Bc6

48. Kc2 Kc5

49. Kc3

And here Black resigned.

29 February 2020 - County U-160s - Kent v Essex

County Under-160s match - Kent v Essex

Saturday 29 February 2020

White: Keith Nevols (164) - Black: J. Robinson (170)

Pirc Defence

Top board for the Under-160s so anticipated a difficult battle.

1. e4 d6

2. d4 Nf6

3. Nc3 g6

4. Bg5 

The Byrne variation. I do not know a great deal about the Pirc but this line has always worked fine for me.

4. .......Bg7

5. Qd2 h6

6. Bh4 g5!?

I thought this was a little premature, making gaps before developing. Castling for Black, or 6. ... Nc6 seemed more sensible.

7. Bg3 Nh5

8. Bc4 

I was not afraid of 8. .. Nxg3 9. hxg3 where, after castling queenside, I had the makings of a kingside attack. However, the engine thinks 8. O-O-O is more accurate with Nge2 and f3, and leaving open the option of where to place the bishop.

8. ......c6

9. Nge2 

9. ......b5?

Six pawns moves out of nine can't be good. With the king in the centre, Black has created weaknesses on both sides.

White can now grab a pawn with 10. Nxb5! (10. ... cxb5 11. Bd5) which I did not see.

10. Bb3 Qb6

11. a4! 

I did think about castling but instead was pleased to find this move, which grabs some initiative.

11. ......b4

12. Nd1 Nxg3

13. hxg3

The in-between move 13. a5 was better isolating the pawn on b4.

13. ..... a5

14. Ne3 

I could see that Ba6 was coming and wanted to get the knight back into the game as soon as I could. 14. f4 is another option followed by e5 with the intention of breaking open the centre while the Black king stood there - but we will come back to that.

14. ..... e6

That's now nine pawns moves out of 14. White is in a nice position of a choice of good moves - he can castle, he can play d5, or he can play the move I chose.

15. Nc4 Qc7

The question is how to break into the Black position. I gave a lot of thought to 16. d5 but this would be a mistake. After 16. .... cxd5 17. exd5 Ba6! 18. Ne3 Bxb2 19. Rb1 Bc3 20. Nxc3 bxc3 21. Qd1 e5 the position is equal, and Black has Nb8-d7-c5 to come.

A pawn sacrifice 16. e5! also occupied a lot of thought, and this is the best move, with 16. .. d5 17. Nd6+ Ke7 18. f4.  Or 16. .. dxe5 17. dxe5 Bxe5 18. Nxe5 Qxe5 19. O-O-O and Black cannot castle because the h6 pawn is hanging.

In the end, I decided not to commit yet in the centre and bring another soldier into the battle.

16. f4 f6?

From my point of view, wonderful - more weak squares around the king. 16. .. d5 is best. White can now commit in the centre.

17. e5 fxe5?

17. .. d5 18. Nd6+ Kd8 and Black has a difficult defence, but White can now open up some areas.

18. dxe5 dxe5

That's 12 pawn moves out of 18. But no matter, Black does not make any more pawn moves.

19. fxg5 Qd8

20. Nd6+ Ke7

21. O-O-O! 

It can be very difficult to win a won game, and causes a lot of pressure. Anyone who sees this blog can see plenty of examples of won games being drawn or lost. I did not want to let this one go. White threatens Nxc8+ Qxc8, Qd6+.

21. ......Ba6

22. gxh6 Bf6

23. Qe3 

To consolidate. The engine recommends 23. .. Bxe2 24. Qxe2 Qxd6 25. Rxd6 Kxd6 but this is still overwhelming for White.

23. ....... Qg8

24. Nf5+ Kf7

25. Nf4 

I have never had my knights in this sort of position before - both attacked by pawns.

25. ........Bc8

26. Nd6+ Ke7

27. Nxc8 Qxc8

28. Ng6+ 

28. Qc5+ is better but I wanted to grab some material while I had the chance.

28. .......Kf7

29. Nxh8+ Qxh8

30. Rd6

The exchange and a pawn down, the e-pawn is about to drop, the h-pawn can make trouble, so Black decided to resign. I was very pleased with this win over a 170-graded player.

27 February 2020 - En Passant - Swale v Folkestone

En Passant - Swale vs Folkestone

Thursday 27 February 2020

White: Keith Nevols (157) - Black: Martin Cutmore (161)

Silician Defence

1. e4 c5

2. Nc3 a6!?

An interesting sideline, an early precaution against Bb5. 

3. f4 e6

4. Nf3 d5

5. d3 dxe4?!

A slight inaccuracy, opening the centre before development.

6. Nxe4 Nf6

7. Be2? 

White is too cautious in return - 7. Nxf6+ Qxf6 8. g3 with Bg2 and maybe Ne5 gives an edge. I am just not used to finachetto-ing the bishop in this line and usually play with the bishop on e2.

7. ..... Nc6

8. O-O Be7

9. Qe1 

A move I am familiar with and waiting the usual question - where will Black put his King?

9. .....Nd4

10. Bd1 O-O

11. Ne5 

Now that Black has answered that question, I can proceed with an initiative.

11. .......Nf5

12. g4 

This is the sort of move that gives you a buzz when you play it, but the engine states it is not the best. It prefers 12. c3. I think I simply overlooked that my knight on e5 is defending the d3 pawn backwards. 12. a4 is another idea to hold up any Black ideas of counterplay.

12. ... Nxe4

13. dxe4 Qd4+

14. Qf2 

The two players look to be peacefully minded, as neither would have much of an early attack without the queens.

14. .......Qxf2+

15. Rxf2 Nd6

16. Bf3 f6

17. Nd3 

Black has pushed away any thoughts White may have of getting an early attack and we now enter the middlegame. I think Black has a slight edge as the knight on d6 has all sorts of possibilities. On the other hand, the white bishop is well placed on f3 - I just need to find something to do with the other bishop.

17. ...... Nb5

18. Be3 

Of course not 18. c3?? - not only does 18. ... c4 give Black a foothold on the d3 square but he can follow up with Bc5.

18. ......c4

19. Nc5 

19. a4! ties up the queenside nicely. 19. ... Nc7 20. Nc1 and coming round to e2, or 19. .. cxd3 20. axb5 and White can exert pressure in the to left hand corner.

19. ......e5

20. f5 

I wanted to keep the pawns together - after 20. fxe5 fxe5 the bishop on f3 does not seem to have much of a future whereas some squares open up for Black.

I also wanted to examine the possibility of closing the kingside for the moment while seeing if I could do anything on the queenside.

20. .......Nd4

20. .. c3 is an annoying little move. White can choose between 21. b3 Nd4 or 21. bxc3 Nxc3.

I was not too bothered about the exchange of the d4 knight for the f3 bishop.

21. Na4 b5

22. Nb6 Rb8

Now was the time for a big think and, as is often the case after a big think, the wrong move was made.

I was examining the possibilities after 23. Nd5, which would have been a good square for the knight, but made the strategic error of swapping off a bishop which was not doing anything.

23. Nxc8? Rbxc8

24. Kg2 Rfd8

Black now takes over with a strong initiative.

25. Rd1 c3!

26. b3 Kf7

And now a classic blunder. I tried to examine the possibility of Bxd4 and Be2 coming to d3, then decided the bishop might be quite good on d3 and picked it up. As my bishop lifted into the air, my heart sunk as I immediately saw that the c2 pawn will be en prise. However, it was too late. Only one possible move.

27. Be2??? 

White should play 27. Bxd4 Rxd4 28. Rxd4 exd4 and then 29. Be2.

27. ....... Nxc2

Now the game is lost.

28. Bb6 Rxd1

29. Bxd1 Nd4

29. .... Ne1+ 30. Kf1 c2 and White can resign.

30. Bc2 b4

30. .... Nxc2 31. Rxc2 b4 was better. One last throw of the dice.

31. Bxd4 exd4

32. Rf3 Bd6

33. h3 Re8

34. Kf1 a5

35. Ke2 Be5

And Black offered a draw which I jumped at. My king will get to d3 so it is question of whether Black can get through with the kingside and use his extra pawn. 

The late night, the long journey home, and the fact that the half point won the match, may have persuaded my opponent to be charitable. Nevertheless. a fortunate escape.

Swale v Folkestone

Keith Nevols (157) 1/2-1/2 Martin Cutmore (161)

David Page (144) 0-1 Kevin Smyth (161)

Rob Woolacott (141) 0-1 Alec Nicol (143)

Dennis Simpson (135) 1-0 Andrew Haycock (106)

Tyrone Jefferies (114) 0-1 David Erwee (95)

Andrew Gillard (109) 1-0 Robert Twigg (90)

Swale 2.5-3.5 Folkestone