In a match spanning two hours which ebbed and flowed throughout, Judd eventually snuck over the line after Ryan’s decisive victory on board 3 with less than 2 minutes left on both players’ clocks. Both teams looked on as an exciting endgame with bishops and passed pawns drew to a close and the 3.5 - 2.5 win was secured. Earlier, Thomas secured a crucial draw on board 1 having trailed in material for most of the encounter, whilst Danny launched an excellent King’s side attack to win on board 2. Tonbridge produced some formidable tactical chess on 4 and 6 to claim two wins despite stubborn opposition from Druha and Edgar but Daniel delivered a rock solid game as black at 5th string to keep Judd in the hunt mid way through the match.

Thank you to Tonbridge School for their hospitality and to the team for their clear thinking and determination under pressure. Judd are now two games away from the national finals at Nottingham University and will be relishing further intellectual examinations of this nature.