Blitz Team Event at Dartmouth

The latest of the Club's summer meetings in Dartmouth took place on 8^th August 2017. To make a change, Ben organised the ten participants into two teams of five - Levy's Layabouts (Steve, Mark, Roy, Ken and Barry) vs Wilkinson's Wonders (Ben, Phil, Tony, Cliff and James). All-play-all twice, with 10 minutes on the clocks.

Dodgy weather meant that we opted to play indoors this time. Ken clearly can't wait to inflict his bone-crusher handshake on James.

James and Ken are stuck in, but Ben seems more interested in the Cliff v Steve game.

And here is the Cliff v Steve game.

Cliff has acquitted himself well. But oh dear! Look at Cliff's clock!

Mark's hand is a blur of motion as the clocks tick down...

... and his pawn superiority was enough to give him a win over Tony.

Ken v James ended controversially, with Ken, in a winning position, knocking the pieces over after erroniously claiming that James had made an illegal move!

Tracking results and organising pairings requires considerable concentration! Many thanks to Ben for his usual efficient organisation.

Interestingly, the Club's usual code of gentlemanly sportsmanship ("don't claim a win in a blitz game if your opponent makes an illegal move") got thrown out of the window - possible because it was a team competition - and no less than 4 games were won by the claim of an illegal move.

At the end of the evening, Wilkinson's Wonders, despite being outgraded by Levy's Layabouts, won by 27½ - 22½. This is despite Steve scoring 9½ / 10 - Steve was heard muttering something about the captain being let down by the lower order batting! Other players scoring over 50% were Roy and Phil on 7½, and Ben on 6½.

If the competition had ended in a 25 - 25 tie, the tie-break was going to be a blitz game between Steve and Shredder. It wasn't a tie, but by popular demand Steve was made to play Shredder anyway. Club members can view the game here.

Afterwards, some beer was consumed to round off a very enjoyable evening.