28 April 2013

Bristol in the Four Nations Chess League

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If you are interested in playing, please contact David Buckley - david_buckley@hotmail.com

http://www.4ncl.co.uk/1011_d2team_BRI1.htm   Bristol (1) Gain promotion to Division One

 Report by Joey Stewart on the 2010 - 2011 Season

After a hard fought season and some determined performances by the team, Bristol 1 have managed to break back into division 1.  Expectations were high, after winning our group convincingly, to go all the way (even if we did have a couple of close scraped wins to get there) but the promotion stages were hard going and the final result
was always up in the air right to the very end.  In a most fitting end to his teams excellent season, it was David Buckley who brought home the final and crucial point to win us our last match and guarantee our return to the rightful realm of the top division.
 

Of course, it would be unfair to say that the rest of the team did not contribute - Chris Beaumont's ever solid presence secured several vital wins and draws in close matches. Jack Rudd, as always, provided great entertainment with his highly original play and scored pretty respectably overall. David Buckley won more then he lost, and had some very good results in the final weekend especially.  John Curtis played well above his nominal rating, never really looking to be troubled by any opponent, and finished with a plus score.  David Collier also had some good wins against higher rated opposition, his game against 3C's in particular was instrumental to the teams
victory in that instance.

For myself, it was my best 4ncl season to date, with 4 wins and 6 draws (although some draws were more favourable for me opponents than myself).  Steve Dilleigh had a season he would probably rather forget, although the positive results he did get were always appreciated.  Martin Oliver surprised his opponents on several occasions by playing well above his nominal rating, grinding out several good wins and accelerating his rating towards the 2000 boundary.

Our guest international master Sergi Salov gave the team a positive boost in the final weekend, scoring 50% against tough opposition, and also Derek Pugh made a winning contribution in his game for the firsts.

We look forward to re-establishing ourselves in division 1, and showing the other teams of the united kingdom that the west is best!

Joey Stewart