Isaac Browning reports:
In a tense and thrilling final that came down to the last board to finish, Stirling edged out Grangemouth by 4-3 to win the Cup.
In a not altogether uncommon occurrence this season, John was last to arrive but first to finish his game. Alan B had a pleasant grip on the dark squares but missed a sudden tactic that lost him a piece.
Next, William won after gaining an extra pawn against Dougie. I then drew with John after squandering a clear middlegame advantage by some questionably timed exchanges and weakening moves. Alan P pulled a point back for Grangemouth with a fine attacking win over Bill.
Sean and Pranav drew after an interesting middlegame featuring an attempt by Sean to trap the opposing queen left his own rook in a vulnerable location. Later, the game simplified to a level endgame with rook and bishop each. Graham exchanged queens early on and gradually wore down Leo to level the match at that stage.
This meant it all came to board six. Fortunately for Stirling, Richard had netted an extra exchange and despite Duncan's best efforts to find counterplay in their mutual time trouble, Richard advanced a passed pawn up the board to force resignation and win the match.
Central League Cup Final
Stirling 4-3 Grangemouth
1. Isaac Browning 2054 ½-½ John McLay 2016
2. John Iwuozor 2020 1-0 Alan Bell 1948
3. Leo Gardner 1889 0-1 Graham Hamilton 1905
4. William Spiers 1758 1-0 Dougie Will 1839
5. Sean Flanagan 1698 ½-½ Pranav Hariharan 1747
6. Richard Warcup 1637 1-0 Duncan Glassey 1722
7. Bill Cook 1544 0-1 Alan Petrie 1683
Stirling had white on the even boards
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