Edinburgh Fide Open Rounds 5-8

Well that's the tournament over and the last half was better for me than the first.

Round 5 vs Chris McIntee was very tight. I found a tactic which worked very well in a situation where I thought I was in trouble. After sacrificing a Bishop and the exchange I ended with a position that forces the win quite quickly. Despite my King's apparent danger it's not quick enough for my opponent.

Round 6 vs Mark Sanderson was pretty long and drawn out. They key in this game at the end is for me to keep the Queens on as this would make it a draw (I think). With the Queens off his Bishop is just too strong for my poor wee pawns.

Round 7 vs James MacRae was also a very tough one and I felt like I had an advantage for the entire game. He found a defence in a very difficult position and arguably ended up with a superior endgame. Unluckily for him he missed the threats posed by my Knight and eventually crumbled. Phew.

Round 8 vs Nigel Chapman was quite even throughout with him coming out slightly better in the ending, although not decisively. His material advantage was equalled by my Rook on his 7th Rank and I managed to get it into a position where a draw is forced. A fairly satisfactory conclusion with the black pieces.

I am quite happy to finish the tournament with 3.5/8, considering how strong the field was. I can take quite a lot away from it too as most of the games that I lost were pretty hard-fought and could have gone either way.