Teams

Griesheim 2 withdrew their team from the Oberliga and had hoped that Nied would secure the spot freed by the withdrawal. However, Nied lost their final two matches while Medizin Erfurt won points off Griesheim - of all things - enabling them to reach the safe haven. But enough of that Oberliga nostalgia. We are now three matches into the Hessenliga - after all a third of the season - and at the latest with these two points Nied have finally arrived in the Hessenliga.

Surprisingly Griesheim decided to switch their top boards, such that Daniel had to take on Bogdan Grabarczyk, the highest rated player of the league. After two hours Daniel offered a draw from a position of strength, which was immediately accepted.

Following this, Sven drew as well. After having sacrificed a piece for a mating attack, he had to acknowledge that his opponent had more defensive resources than expected. Playing white, Sven bailed out by giving perpetual check.

Even Gerd cannot win every game and agreed to a threefold repitition at the beginning of the middlegame. In a King's Indian structure, Gerd's kingside attack had come to a halt, while his opponent threatened to invade through the backdoor on the queenside.

Hendrik's game at the top board turned out to be very interesting. First, he had sacrificed a pawn for an initiative that was so promising that it prompted his opponent Holger Nothnagel to counter with a likewise very strong exchange sacrifice. Eventually, a pair of bishops and a material advantage neutralized each other, resulting in a draw by repitition and a score of 2:2.

Already quite early into the match we saw Oliver on his way to a full point. After a creative and aggressive handling of the opening he had won a pawn which he held on to until the end of the game, winning it in a very safe manner for a score of 3:2.

I did not see much of Patrick's game. Patrick had played quite quickly and when I first looked at his board he was defending a worse endgame. For a moment during his opponent's time trouble it seemed like he might be able to save the draw. Unfortunately, however, his opponent kept his nerve and converted to a full point.

Tomislav, who had replaced Thomas for this match, played an unambitious opening against his nominally much weaker opponent. Nevertheless he was able to continuously pose threats, which eventually allowed him to first wreck his opponent's pawn structure and later convert his advantage in a knight endgame.

Finally, with the score at 4:3, only Christof 's game was still on. And it would still go on for a long time. For six hours his opponent tried to win the game, but due to a great defensive performance interspersed with creative moves Christof was able to hold the balance. When the last pawns were about to be exchanged, his opponent agreed to the draw, with Christof sealing the first team victory of the season.

The following matchday will lead us to Bad Homburg. Let's see if we are able to win away from home as well. As of now, it is going to be very difficult.

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