First point against Belgium in the European Championships

Scotland drew with Belgium 2-2 in the European team championship held in Iceland.

The score was 2-2 but according to Stockfish anyway could have been more.

Alan Tate comfortably won his game in board 1 against Belgian Mher Hovhannisyan, in a French Defence.

According to Stockfish Graham Morrision's game ended with an edge to black however objectively it does look like Graham would have had difficulty making headway and a draw may have been the correct result.

Move 36 looked significant when perhaps Graham could have looked closer at trying to promote his extra pawn on the queenside and put greater pressure on Steven Geirnaert.

These points I hasten to add are made by a not very good amateur with the limited aid of a computer.

Further analysis (may) follow.

The one defeat was to Andrew Burnett in board 4 in an off beat sideline of the Sicilian. Looks like Andrew was taken out of book early and the well prepared Belgian dominated with Andrew going wrong (according to stockfish anyway) at move 36. Where rather than the move played (36. ... Qe8), Andrew could have played (36. ... Rxf3+ 37. Kxf3 Qh4 ...) and garnered significant counter play to perhaps hold for a draw.

Also at move 47 Andrew blundered where rather than playing Ra8 he played Rc2 going behind the white pawn rather than blocking the queening square. Which allowed the king or bishop to cross and block the c pawn from the rook, allowing the c pawn to queen.