Harry reached the XLeague Final Series for the first time in his career by defeating his froggy daughter, Nici, 3-1 in the Qualifying Series.

It was the first time that an XLeague Playoff Series was won by the lower seed. Harry overcame Nici’s 1-0 head start that she had been awarded due to her superior overall win-loss record from the Round Robin Series (10-12 to 7-15).

In the first-to-4 Final Series, Harry will face his wife, Sissy, who won the Round Robin Series and will also have a 1-0 head start.

Despite finishing the Round Robin Series only in third place, Harry fancied his chances against Nici against whom he had a positive head-to-head record (7-4) and a two-game winning streak.

In the first of the two at-boards played on Saturday, Harry took what seemed like a comfortable 5-2 lead. However, having saved 4-&-1, Nici had reason to believe in a comeback, holding on to the tactically favourable order.

Still, Harry’s YLW4 started its only PWL after 39 minutes of play and, only two minutes later, converted its fourth match point on a “3” to cancel out Nici’s head start.

In the second at-board, the die seemed to favour Nici at first who stormed ahead 6-2 having saved 4-&-2. Nici did get a 7-5 lead and got her RED4 up to two fields from home. However, home fields (a) and (b) were occupied by RED2 and RED3 and just wouldn’t get a “1” to open the house.

While Nici was desperately hoping for the die to yield favourable numbers, Harry saved BLK4, YLW3 and, after 36 minutes of play, YLW4 on a “5” to convert his second match point and take a 2-1 lead in the series.

On Sunday, Game 4 (Nici’s bye win included) turned out quite dramatic. Harry took a 7-5 lead when completing his black team and saving YLW3 to home field (a) shortly afterwards. However, the endgame provided a dramatic turn as the die started loving Nici again, helping her cut short five of Harry’s six PSWL.

But when RED4 had to leapfrog YLW4 two fields from its home, and with RED3 still occupying home field (a), Harry could breath a sigh of relieve. Seconds later, after 48 minutes of play, he converted his fourth match point on a “2” to sweep his froggy daughter (not counting her bye win) and book his place in the Final Series.

Harry will be the underdog going into the Final Series as he lost all of his 11 at-boards against his wife during the Round Robin Series. Still, riding high on his success in the Qualifying Series, the reigning GP World Series winner appears confident that he can win the second trophy of his career.

“I know I went 0-11 against Sissy in the Round Robins and she will have a 1-0 head start. But I genuinely believe that she will not sweep me,” Harry said confidently, looking ahead to the Final Series, scheduled to kickoff on Sunday with the first two of up to six at-boards.

“Winning the first at-board tomorrow would be massive for me. My wife is a brilliant player and, for sure, she will not underestimate me. If it’s 2-1 to Sissy at the end of Sunday, I will still be in it. Obviously, not falling behind 3-1 in the series will then be crucial.”