As is usually the case, the road to the title has not been an easy one, with a number of close matches along the way. The title deciding match played away at Grangemouth on the 24th of March 2010 was no different and a draw, or even the scores reversed looked likely for the 1st half of the match.
First game to finish was on board 2. This ended a draw, even though everybody had written this game off, as Gavin was 3 pawns down with a lost position very early in the game. Board 3 was not looking much better either, after making up the opening John M had a cramped but stubbornly defended position. This changed after he broke chess rules and moved a knight to the side of the board. Black then had a good advantage, but humans are not computers and the position was still stubbornly defended, leading to a draw offer. Ian R on board 1 was collecting small advantages throughout his game and was winning easily by the time Ian M's flag fell.
With the score at 2-1 to Dunfermline, the match was very much in the balance. Garry on board 5 was a piece and a passed pawn down and Michael on board 3 had played a very good game to be winning easily, but was very short of time in a complicated position. Michael managed to pick his way through the difficulties set for him by John S and sealed the match for Dunfermline with checkmate. Then the shock of the night, with time running out Garry managed to bamboozle his opponent into offering him a draw, even though William had a completely won position. Dunfermline therefore won the match by the score 1.5 - 3.5.
Bd Grade Grangemouth vs Dunfermline Grade
1 1864 Ian Mason 0 - 1 Ian Robertson 2078
2 1858 Douglas Will 0.5 - 0.5 Gavin Saxton 1849
3 1649 Mark Monaghan 0.5 - 0.5 John McBride 1769
4 1640 John Smith 0 - 1 Michael Roy 1731
5 1506 William Gray 0.5 - 0.5 Garry Forbes 1689
1.5 - 3.5
Dunfermline white on boards 2, 3 and 4.
Six of the 7 players who played for the winning A team this season.
Left to right: Gavin, Michael, John, Garry, Jim and the team captain Ian.
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