Although Exeter are of course the stronger side, we have had the embarrassing experience of being routed convincingly by Teignmouth in successive years in the first round of the National Club Championship (Major section), and can only point glumly to our better record in the Devon League.
Alan Brusey has led the irrepressible first team of Teignmouth Chess Club for several years. — DR
French Defence, Advance Variation
1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 Nc6 5. Nf3 Bd7 6. a3 c4 7. Nbd2 f6 8. Be2 fxe5 9. Nxe5 Nxe5 10. dxe5 Qc7 11. f4
White has mishandled the opening. White tends to exchange on f6 and c5 in this line, but if he allows Black to exchange on e5, it is better to retain the Knights. White is playing for a space advantage, and wants Black's pieces to tread on each other's toes. The last move is poor, opening up the dark squares.
11...Bc5 12. Nf3 Ne7 13. Nd4 Qb6 14. Bg4 O-O 15. a4
White is totally tied up, and is virtually reduced to King moves if he wants to maintain his Pawns!
15...Bxd4 16. Qxd4 Qxd4 17. cxd4 Nc6 18. Be3 Nxd4
19. Bd1 The opening has led to an endgame with a Pawn plus for Black.
19...Nc6 20. O-O b6 21. Bf3 Nb4 22. Bd1 Nd3 23. Ra2 Rf7 24. g3 Raf8 25. a5 bxa5 26. Rxa5 Nxe5 27. Rxa7 Nc6
28. Rc7
The position has clarified, and White has a weak b-Pawn to add to his woes. Black's plan is simple, to advance the d-Pawn. It is notable that the Knight's mobility makes it the equal of at least one of the Bishops!
28...Rc8 29. Rxc8+ Bxc8 30. Ba4 Nb4 31. Bd4 Rb7 32. Re1 Nd3 33. Re2 Kf7 34. Bc6
A small mistake: 34. Bc2 would indirectly attack the Pawn on h7, and defend the Pawn on b2, e. g. 34...Nxb2 35. Bxb2 Rxb2 36. Bg6+
34...Rc7 35. Ba4 h6 36. Bb6 Rb7 37. Bd4
Around here, my opponent offered a draw. White has managed the best with his Bishops, but Black's preparations are now finished, and by withdrawing his Knight to c6, he will threaten the advance of the d- Pawn.
37...Bd7 38. Bc2 Nb4 39. Bb1 Nc6 40. Be5 Nxe5 41. fxe5 c3
A little tragic, but White's position was untenable. Black might further prepare the advance of his Pawns with Kf7-e7 and Be8-g6.
42. Rf2+ Ke7 43. Bg6 Rxb2 44. Rxb2 cxb2 45. Kf2 Be8 46. Bc2 Ba4 47. Bb1 Kd7 48. Ke3 Kc6 49. Kd4 Kb5 50. Kc3 Kc5 51. Kxb2 Kd4 52. Bg6
Every French-player's dream: the e6 and d5 Pawns with the light square Bishop carry the day!
52...Kxe5 53. Kc3 Bd1 54. Kd3 Bg4 55. Bf7 Bf5+ 56. Kd2 Kd4 57. h4 e5 58. Bh5 e4 59. g4 e3+ 60. Ke1 Bd3 61. g5 Kc3 62. gxh6 gxh6 63. Be8 d4 64. h5 Bc4 65. Bc6 d3 66. Bf3 d2+ 0-1
[Notes by Peter Lane]