European Youth Team Chess Championships 2016

[Jim Wadsworth]

At 90 minutes in the board by board synopsis is as follows:
- Matthew has used an hour to make 16 moves vs his opponents 30 minutes. Slightly odd position with both kings stuck in the middle. Level in material terms, Not sure who will be the happier at the moment. Both have weaknesses, Matthew probably slightly better development if anything?
- Adams game on board 2 is probably the most interesting, he has sacced a N for two pawns and positional compensation. Pretty much the sort of game he had in mind in preparation
- Pavel and Akito have perfectly solid positions, Akito probably has the edge in his but nothing decisive yet.

[Jim Wadsworth]

After two hours...:
- Matthew continues to be well behind the clock, now at about 20 moves (Matthew has about 24 minutes plus the increments to make a further 20 moves, I.e. Nothing serious yet). Material remains level. His opponent has managed to castle queenside and has Q, R, N and B huddled around his K with a further R on h1. Matthew has more space, and a passed h pawn but his pieces are less coherent than whites
- Adam is into an endgame now, material is about to become R and 3 for Adam vs R, N and 2. Looks tough for Adam but two of his pawns are connected and passed, so not over yet.
- Pavel and Akito both continue to have solid positions, material level. Pavel defending and a bit behind the clock, Akito looking to attack

[LawrenceCooper]

Thanks for the updates and good luck to the team (and manager/commentator etc)

[Jim Wadsworth]

After 2.5 hours:
- Matthew now under significant time pressure. About 5 mins plus the increment to make about 15 moves.
- Sadly, looks as though Adam will now lose
- Pavel coming under a lot of pressure now
- Akito's opponent is defending well against Akito's big attack

[Jim Wadsworth]

- Adam just lost, regrettably
- Matthew now playing on his increment with 10 moves to make to the time control (Q, 2R and 3 pawns each, Matthew has his passed h pawn but his K is very exposed). Not looking great
- Pavel now a pawn down, also not looking great
- Akito probably now slightly worse too

[Jim Wadsworth]

Matthew just lost

[Jim Wadsworth]

Akito just won with a beautiful N sacrifice to give check, leading to a forced exchange of Queens and an unstoppable passed pawn! Two out of two for him

Pavel still going. Now in a rook and pawn endgame, but regrettably two pawns down.

[Jim Wadsworth]

Pavel is about to get one of the extra pawns back....

[Jim Wadsworth]

Pavel lost

Congrats to Slovenia B. Final result 3:1 in their flavour. Team meal out of the hotel in order I think..

[Jim Wadsworth]

Slovenia A today, again will not be on live boards

[Jim Wadsworth]

Round 3 underway.

Pace of board 1 starting a tad quicker than yesterday - 10 moves of Accelerated Dragon bashed out in the first 5 or so minutes....

[Jim Wadsworth]

Two hours in
- Matthew and Adam have pleasant enough postions, though nothing decisive yet. Material level and clocks fairly even as well
- Pavel and Akito both a pawn down, both would likely argue they have some compensation

[Jim Wadsworth]

Akito wins again!

He could have won his pawn back at any time, and in general was stating to create pressure both over the board and with the clock. His opponent then co-operated by getting his Q offside and enabled Akito to trap it. 3/ 3 for Akito, way to go!

[Jim Wadsworth]

On the other boards, after two and a half hours...:
- Matthew has a solid position, probably slightly better but not much in it. The game is ikely to go the distance - subject to the clock again (at the time of writing Matthew has about 16 minutes plus the increment to make 19 moves to get to the time control; his opponent has perhaps ten minutes more)
- Adams game is a bit more open, probably even but very playable for Adam who has more of the threats
- Pavel is still a pawn down but definitely with good compensation and putting pressure on his opponent

[Jim Wadsworth]

Draw agreed by Matthew (opponent offered on move 30, the earliest allowed under the event rules). Matthew did not seek advice on whether to accept the offer from the team manager (which is also allowed) - but had he done so the manager would have agreed with his decision!

Pavel has got his pawn back and is unleashing a massive attack - looking very promising there.

Adams game still going, looking pretty even