Kingston B v Maidenhead B, Thames Valley division 2 match played at the Willoughby Arms, Kingston on 4 November 2024

This was the board 6 game in the match between Kingston B and Maidenhead B in Thames Valley division 2. In many way, it was the pivotal game in the match. We were 2-1 down when it was reaching its conclusion, and Alicia’s opponent appeared to have reasonable drawing chances. But under time pressure she played superbly to convert the small advantage she had nursed for most of the game, drawing admiration from Peter Andrews, whose own board 3 game had just finished and who was watching intently as Alicia’s queen-and-knight mating net closed on her opponent. Her win tied the match at 2-2, and a win and a draw by Peter Hasson and David Rowson on boards 1 and 2 then saw us over the line for a 3.5-2.5 victory. A blessed relief after being 2-0 down earlier in the evening.