The U14 team leads the final after two wins - the championship is within reach!
The U14 team is currently playing in Regensburg. This time the weak spot was the second board; everyone else took both points. First it was against the opponent who on paper looked the most promising, SF Augsburg. Their second board was missing, however, so we were heavily superior on three and four. On the second board, at least a draw resulted this time. With that, our duty was fulfilled. Next it was against the surprise team from Tegernheim, who in the first round beat the favoured opponents from Postbauer-Heng 3-1. The misfortune happened after just half an hour in a promising rook endgame with passed pawns: our player, blitzing, blundered in one move, losing the rook and the game. The other games were all very close; at times it was doubtful whether we could turn the result around. David worked his way forward pawn by pawn until, three pawns up, his lead was insurmountable. Matvei fought longer; he had a bishop with extra pawns against a knight on the board. He had to keep probing the position for a long time until the breakthrough succeeded. With Tugrul it looked unclear for a long time, but he too prevailed after a long fight. Respect to the Tegernheim players, who demanded everything of us. So tomorrow we play with good chances against Postbauer-Heng.
The U12 team final is also already casting its shadow ahead. Above all, it may be that Noris-Tarrasch’s top board, who was used decisively in the U16 team, will not turn up, or, if he does, that the team will compete only out of contention.