31 Mar 2017
NSW Junior Chess League - Round 1
Bowral HS were proud to host local rivals Moss Vale HS in what was the first time the two schools had met in the statewide chess knockout competition. Both schools made their NSWJCL debut last year without making it past the first round of the main competition, so history was to be made for the victors. The newly refurbished library provided the ideal venue for the occasion.
After exchanging pleasantries over some morning tea, Alexi Lawrence got Bowral off to a flying start, quickly accounting for his opponent and giving the team an early lift. His favoured kingside fianchettoed bishop with the white pieces proved an effective wildcard opening, gaining early ascendency and Alexi's nous was enough to gain a 1-0 lead.
Bailey Whitton fought out a good strategic exchange-heavy battle against a fancied younger rival, benefitting from a blunder in the endgame to queen a pawn. He looked set to cruise to victory with a king and queen against a lone opposition king, but learned the hard lesson of making hasty moves to end with a stalemate.
Bowral secured victory with Matthew Sutcliffe's well planned checkmate via a discovered attack with queen and advanced bishop giving an unassailable 2.5 - 0.5 lead. Team captain Riley Wallace O'Connell fared well and was up a piece in the early stages. Riley looked to gain tempo with rook checks to ‘snack' on second rank pawns in the middle game, crucially underestimating the power of his opponents' dual passed pawns.
Our BHS team was gracious in victory and enjoyed a few relaxed friendly matches, including some experimental team replacement games, before wishing the Moss Vale team the best of luck in the second place competition.
Bowral HS 2.5
Moss Vale HS 1.5
Bowral HS Chess Squad:
Riley O'Connell Wallace
Matthew Sutcliffe
Bailey Whitton
Alexi Lawrence
Dylan Gordon
Mr C Hayden
BHS Chess Organiser