The Four Nations Chess League (4NCL) enjoyed a captivating finale over the early May bank holiday. As the final round commenced, three teams remained in close contention to win the title, each with nine wins out of ten matches, and each entering their final match as strong favourite. That meant the league would likely be decided on board points, so every half-point would count.
The surprise contenders were the Sharks, who had fielded consistently strong squads but with only a couple of grandmasters. Beating Cheddleton by 5-3 in the final round was another good result, but not the big one they needed. Manx Liberty, who won the event last year, had the strongest lineup on paper, led by the veteran elite grandmaster Alexei Shirov. But he suffered a tactical mishap against England’s Gawain Jones.
Alexei Shirov (Manx Liberty)-Gawain Jones (Chessable White Rose 1)
4NCL final round, May 2024 (see left diagram)
With two knights against rook and pawn, the chances would be roughly balanced after a cautious move such as 32 Bd2-c3.
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