Here we go, here we go, here we go! Battersea into cup final

Que sera, sera, whatever will be will be, we’re going to Battersea, que sera, sera!

Get your blue bunting ready and book that open-top bus for the parade, because Battersea Chess Club is in the final of Surrey’s premier knockout competition, the Alexander Cup.

In a much-anticipated semi-final on Tuesday night, Blair Connell’s team put in a dominant performance to beat Epsom 6-4. The match was won at 6-1, before three losses made the scoreline look closer.

Here is the scorecard:

However, as always, Epsom put on a good fight and were excellent guests.

Follwing the end of play, Epsom posted this on Twitter:

Epsom's Alexander (Surrey) Cup run ended at the semi-final stage last night with a 6-4 defeat at @BatterseaChess. Both sides were packed with talent, but ultimately Battersea's superiority in the middle order got them over the time.
It'll be a Battersea v @KingstonChess final! pic.twitter.com/mgEkdD4jed

— Epsom Chess Club (@ClubEpsom) March 8, 2023

Battersea now face Kingston in the final, on a date yet to be arranged.

The last time Battersea won the Alexander Cup was exactly 70 years ago, in 1953. Can we end 70 years of hurt?