15 May 2017 - Central League Cup

Badgers Brook v Stirling
Kenny McGeoch   Mark Cooke   David McConnell   Stuart Ward   Graham Kerr   Dave McGilvray   Gordon Walker	2060   1949   1812   1742   1617   1493   1188	1 - 0   ½ - ½   ½ - ½   1 - 0   0 - 1   0 - 1   0 - 1	1910   1845   1756   1692   1676   1657   1474	Shivan Murdochy   Neil Irving   Jim Shemilt   Graham Anderson   Steven Smith   Bill Cook   Dave Hewitt
		3 - 4

This is Stirling's first win in this competition since 2005/06. Bill won first after Dave resigned when his phone went off during the game. Shortly afterward Dave made it 2-0. Jim agreed a draw with David, then I lost. Steve finished shortly afterward with a win, leaving just the top two boards playing and Stirling needing just a half point to win. Shivan lost when Kenny's Queenside pawns marched through. Neil's game against Mark was down to Queen and Rooks with 7 pawns each in quite a closed position. Time ran down, and with about two minutes left each, Mark accepted Neil's draw offer.

L to R: Jim Shemilt, Dave Hewitt, Steve Smith, Bill Cook, Neil Irving, Graham Anderson (missing: Shivan Murdochy)

Thanks to Steve for providing the game and analysis below, where Steve was Black against Graham Kerr.

[Event "Badgers Brook v Stirling"] [Site "Badgers Brook CC"] [Date "2017.05.15"] [Round "F"] [White "Kerr, G"] [Black "Smith, S"] [Result "0-1"] 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 Ne7 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. Qg4 Qc7 { the most aggressive reply. Black's king side pawns disappear, but he gets one back plus active chances on the queen side. } 8. Qxg7 Rg8 9. Qxh7 cxd4 10. Ne2 Nbc6 11. f4 Bd7 12. Qd3 dxc3 13. Rb1 Nf5 14. Nxc3 a6 15. g3 Rc8 { leaving the king in the centre, but if 0-0-0 white can play 16 Qxa6 since if 16 .. bxa6 17 Bxa6 forces Qb7 and white has gained two pawns } 16. Bd2 Na5 { Everything is fairly standard so far. I'm doubtful about white's next couple of moves. } 17. Bh3 { the bishop never gets into the game } 17... Ne7 18. Kd1 Nc4 19. Rb3 b5 20. Ne2 Nc6 21. Re1 Rh8 22. g4 { Black should now play N6xe5 23 dxe5 Rxh3 similar to the game } 22... N6a5 23. Rb1 { now white loses decisive material. He had to play Bxa5, but after Qxa5 my computer gradually increases black's advantage as it looks futher ahead } 23... Nxd2 24. Kxd2 Rxh3 25. Qxh3 Qxc2+ 26. Ke3 Rc3+ { White resigns. } 0-1