Summary: Cup, MMM, Regionalliga
First of all we were allowed to face SF Dachau in the cup semi-final. On board 1 Tugrul won, on 2 Oleksandr lost for the first time, on board 3 Zdravko won and on board 4 Matvei once again saved himself into a draw in a long and exciting game a bishop down. So we may play for the cup championship on 10 May against my old club! In any case we are already qualified for the Bavarian Cup Championship.
In the MMM we played with four teams on Friday; two won, namely the 4th and, for the very first time, the 3rd, the 5th drew and the 2nd lost heavily with only a half point on the credit side. In the 5th team I myself had to strike my colours against my young challenger, but in return Tom next to me won his first game in the championship. Congratulations on that!
In the Regionalliga we had, after some withdrawals, travelled to Augsburg to Rochade in strengthened form after all, as David played his game of the season on this match day. On two Namik surprised with the fastest win; his opponent dared a lot and ultimately was two pawns down in the queen endgame. Namik was the first to finish and could set off home. David needed longer but also gained a pawn advantage and, in the minor-piece endgame, pushed his passed pawn on the edge up to the penultimate rank. After winning a piece he lured the king into the corner; a knight in the corner helped him, keeping the king occupied and helping to the win on the other side. By that time Norman, who lost, Leon, who drew, and Ardian, who won, were already finished. On the last three boards the fight lasted longest; here it was enough for us for a half point, Anton taking his first half point in the championship. Matvei could not, this time, pull off the surprise in the disadvantageous endgame; his opponent was simply too strong. Kayra still tried everything in a game with unequal material and a very vulnerable king in the centre. He had to resign.
With our 4-4 we gave the Schachfreunde Augsburg outside help; now they too have a one-match-point lead before the final round. We have banished the last relegation gremlins; the probability before the round was 0.3%, now we remain 100% in the Regionalliga. The season is reminiscent of the first year in the district league. With some reinforcements we should play with more chances next year.
On 26 April, with a win against Kempten, we can improve our table situation from eight to seven and round off the season with a success.