Avengers 2 Narrowly Defeated by MK Phoenix
In a tightly contested R7 encounter, the Avengers 2nd team were defeated by MK Phoenix 1 by the slenderest possible margin.
Michael obtained an easy opening equality against Peter Hunt in a symmetrical English, but allowed unfavourable exchanges, finally succumbing in a pawn-endgame on move 38.
Chris, in his debut match for Anglia Avengers, obtained a favourable opening against Toby Cox’s Dutch Defense, won the exchange, but eventually went wrong in a double-edged endgame.
Alan Brown was never looking for more than the half-point against Kyan’s QGD Tartakower Defence, and duly obtained it on move 31.
Russell sacrificed, or rather blundered, a piece from the opening, but obtained a couple of pawn and a few threats by way of compensation. James Gardner defended reasonably, but never quickly enough; and in severe time-trouble, allowed Russell a nice winning tactic.
This result drops us into the bottom half of the table (Division 2 / Group A), and means that the 2nd team will require an heroic 3/3 from the final rounds to have any chance of qualifying for the championship phase.