| Stirling v Grangemouth | ||||
|
Uby Archibong Alan Bell Graham Hamilton Dougie Will David Wallace Ian Mason Alasdair Sandham |
2194 1991 1976 1914 1756 1620 1308 |
1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 1 - 0 0 - 1 1 - 0 1 - 0 |
1771 1712 1667 1634 1576 1456 1226 |
Jim Shemilt Steve Smith Graham Anderson David McAlister Bill Cook Tony Pitson Gordon Allcock |
| 6 - 1 | ||||
Thankfully Bill spared us a whitewash with a game that went right down to the last minute, when David blundered in time trouble to hand Bill a rook and the game. The match was already well beyond Stirling - I finished first, with probably my worst game ever, which is presented below in the hope that someone learns something from it. Tony may have had some chances to win had he not lost on time.
I had considered castling on move 10 before the big exchange on e5, but I was worried I would lose my opportunity to exchange anything. It's not often, as Black against d4, that I emerge with d and e pawns intact and White has no central pawns. Of course, Stockfish recommends it. A good player always makes his King safe. My thoughts on Graham's reply had all been around 13 Bxa6 and where to put my Queen after that - d6 seems OK, but I would have to be careful of Nb5 and keep my eye on c7. Or maybe not. The lucky underpants have had their day, and I'll be shopping this weekend for a new pair.
