Grantham vs Spalding 2½:1½

Another round of Lincolnshire League U 160 was played on the Halloween evening when Grantham hosted Spalding. 
On paper the match looked a forgone conclusion with Grantham heavily outgrading Spalding on all boards but Spalding raised themselves to the challenge.

Grantham		2½:1½	Spalding
Palmer T	149	½:½	Van Gemeren J	138
Beckett P	149	½:½	Nottingham T	142
Holt C	148	1:0	Smith J	126
Mason B	145	½:½	Robinson F	108

In a tight game on board four Ben Mason fought hard for a draw and with the match all square and the other games tight affairs Grantham players had to dig deep. 
Phill Beckett, having gained a two pawn advantage, let the advantage slip and another draw was agreed. 
Though by this stage Chris Holt had won his game against James Smith. Having had a what he later described as "a brain freeze" thinking he had mate in one which almost cost him material, nevertheless, Chris recovered well to win. Make an opinion for yourself, here is the game with the annotations made by Chris himself.




In the final game Trevor Palmer was had two pieces for a rook and was able to get his pawns in advanced positions and so with both players nearing time trouble a draw was agreed that then gave Grantham the match victory to maintain their position at the top of the league.