Grangemouth B v Dunfermline B - 15/03/17

Ian Mason 0 - 1 Jamie O'Connor
Bill Gray 0 - 1 Calum Smith
Crawford Welsh 1 - 0 Stewart Brisbane
David Fowler 1/2 - 1/2 Glynis Grant
Scott Dickson 0 - 1 Matt Harris

Grangemouth B 1.5 - Dunfermline B 3.5

Grangemouth had white on boards 3 and 5

The home team were discombobulated by being locked out of the chess equipment cupboard for the first time in 24 years. Bill Gray's role as Acting Janitor unfortunately didn't extend to keeper of the keys so there was an anxious time before a Council employee could be found. Meanwhile the visiting team had a mix-up in transport arrangements which saw Ian Robertson kindly take our Board 1 to the venue.

Once we got underway, there was vigorous play by Ian Mason who deployed a 1...e5 2...f5 line against Jamie's English Opening. Jamie held on and a blunder by Ian eventually decided the game.

On board 2, Calum v Bill, it would be quicker to show the moves than describe the game:
1.b4 e5
2.Bb2 Bxb4
3.Bxe5 Nc6
4.Bxg7 d5
5.Bxh8 Nf6
6.e3 Bf5
7.Qf3 resigns

I've resigned a game in six moves before. What you lose on the swings, you gain on the roundabouts.

Stewart sacrificed a rook to stave off defeat but an unstoppable mate threat by Crawford decided things anyway. A good win by Crawford.

Glynis played a Vienna Gambit against David, and at one point could chase Black's bishop with pawns, disconnect it from the queen and win it, but unfortunately Glynis didn't see this. Glynis offered a draw which was declined; later on David reciprocated the offer and a draw was agreed.

Having gone the exchange up in a sequence of swaps against Scott's London System-type set up, Matt faced a mobile queenside pawn majority. By way of counterplay he advanced his kingside pawns. The threats of check from pawns on the kingside, backed up by Matt's rooks and queen then scored the point for Dunfermline.

Calum