Round 7: Belgium Draws Against the UK and Moves to Third Place
In the seventh round of the Pandanet Team Championship, Belgium faced off against the United Kingdom, resulting in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Our lineup for this round featured Lucas, Jan, Lucman, and Kevin, all determined to keep Belgium in the race for a top-two finish.
Board 1: Lucas Dominates from Start to Finish
Lucas Neirynck (White) vs. Michael Cheung (4 Dan)
Lucas entered this match as the favorite and wasted no time asserting control. By move 17, despite being locally outnumbered 3 to 1, he emerged with a 10+ point lead. From that point onward, he never gave his opponent a chance to turn the game around, maintaining a steady advantage and securing Belgium’s first win of the round.
Belgium 1 – UK 0
Board 2: Jan Falls into a Tactical Trap
Scott Cobbold (4 Dan) vs. Jan Ramon (Black)
Jan started with his signature solid opening, aiming to build a strong foundation for the middle game. The turning point came when White, playing moves 38 and 39, began shaping central influence.
Jan’s attempt to counter with a pincer at move 43 backfired when his stones were cut off and captured, giving White a 9-point lead. He fought back by attacking a weak White group in the center, but his opponent skillfully maneuvered to connect his own groups while keeping Jan’s completely surrounded.
Despite his aggressive efforts, Jan’s group was ultimately captured, sealing the game in favor of the UK.
Belgium 1 – UK 1
Board 3: Lucman Secures a Convincing Victory
Lucman Bounoider (White) vs. Jake Dane (4 Dan)
Lucman’s game was a back-and-forth battle, featuring sharp fighting from the outset. The key sequence unfolded in the top right corner, where complications arose after an early pincer. By move 90, Lucman had skillfully maneuvered to keep the game balanced, despite his group still being somewhat unsettled.
The decisive moment came at move 135, when Black attempted to invade White’s area of influence. Lucman countered calmly and efficiently, securing solid points while keeping his groups connected. By the time the dust settled, he held a commanding 20+ point lead, clinching Belgium’s second victory of the match.
Belgium 2 – UK 1
Board 4: Kevin Struggles Against Bruno’s Precision
Bruno Poltronieri (4 Dan) vs. Kevin Prist (Black)
Kevin opted for a double kosumi opening, aiming for a flexible, dynamic game. However, White capitalized early with a counter-pincer, leading to a 7-point advantage for Bruno by move 33.
Kevin attempted to break through with a push-and-cut sequence, but his stones were captured, and Bruno extended his lead to 37 points. Despite Kevin’s best efforts to mount a comeback, his opponent’s precise play left no room for recovery, handing the UK their second win and evening the match.
Belgium 2 – UK 2
Final Score: Belgium 2 – UK 2
With this result, Belgium now sits in third place, trailing Italy (1st) and the Netherlands (2nd). Only the top two teams advance to League One, keeping the pressure on as the competition heats up.
Belgium still has a crucial matchup against Italy, meaning our path to promotion is still open—but every game counts from here on out.
No pressure.
For those who want to relive the action, all game records are available on the Pandanet website.
https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps
Complete results: https://pandanet-igs.com/communities/euroteamchamps/rounds/1116
