Fast Start, Tough Finish: Belgium Shares Points with Austria in Round 7
Belgium closed out Round 7 of the Pandanet online team championship this week with a hard-fought matchup against Austria, delivering drama across multiple boards before settling for a draw.
The Belgian lineup featured Lucas, Lucman, Jan and Guillaume. The first three boards were played on Friday, March 13, while the remaining game was scheduled for Tuesday, March 17.
Strong Start on the Top Boards
On Board 1, Lucas, playing Black, faced Viktor Lin (6 dan). He opted for a modern extra wide pincer variation leading to a dynamic opening. Lucas quickly took control by executing two successful invasions on the left side, gaining an early lead. Despite his opponent building a strong central wall, Lucas’ prior stones in the area neutralized the threat, and he maintained control to secure the win.
On Board 3, Jan, also playing Black, took on Jannis Adamek (1 kyu). Known for his solid style, Jan opened with classic joseki before shifting gears in the middle game. Move 61 proved decisive, creating a powerful double threat. After isolating stones in the south, Jan built a clear advantage. The game escalated into intense fighting, but once a key group was captured, the result was sealed — Jan won by resignation on move 147.
A Tough Battle on Board 4
On Board 4, Guillaume, playing White against Len Recheis (2 Kyu), fought hard but ultimately came up short.
After the first day of play, Belgium held a 2–1 lead, putting them in a strong position heading into the final board.
Decisive Game Ends in Forfeit
The final match, scheduled for Tuesday, could not be completed due to technical issues and was ultimately forfeited. This result brought the overall score to a 2–2 draw between Belgium and Austria.
Looking Ahead
With this result, Belgium is now part of a four-way tie at five wins. Attention now turns to the next round against the Netherlands, a formidable team whose Boards 2, 3, and 4 remain undefeated this season and currently top the standings.
The upcoming clash is scheduled for Tuesday, April 14, or possibly the week prior — setting the stage for a crucial showdown in the race for the top.
Links
Standings: https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/draw/215
