Marple v Macclesfield	28/10/13
	Second Tier Cup

Marple		Macclesfield
1.    Paul Kirby (158)	0	Chris Sizeland (151)	1
2.    Nigel Livesey (147)	1	Phil Cattermole (141)	0
3.    Andy Jenkins (127)	1/2	Tony Brough (134)	1/2
4.    Chris Baker (126)	1	Ray Pomeroy (132)	0
5.    Asid Siddiq (122)	0	Mike Renshaw (127)	1

The gradings for this match were very well balanced and a very tense and exciting match was the result. Marple played white on odd boards.

Andy's game was the first to finish and I didn't really follow very closely as I was dealing with complications of my own. From what I could see, the advantage swung from Andy back to Tony before a drawish endgame position was reached. Andy asked me if he could agree a draw and I consented.

My game was a Sicilian Najdorf and Ray played a quiet positional line with 6. Be2 and 7. N(d4)f3. Shortly afterwards he blundered a piece but got a strong King's side attack as compensation. I managed to find an effective defence and I had a straightforward win when the attack died down. (Marple 1.5 Macclesfield 0.5).

Sid told me afterwards that, having practiced the English all week and getting the white pieces he played e4 out of habit! I think the opening was a Sicilian Dragon and the game was very even right through the middle game. Sid even rejected a couple of draw offers from his opponent. Unfortunately he blundered a piece after the queens came off and the result was then inevitable . (Marple 1.5 Macclesfield 1.5).

I didn't see much of either Paul's or Nigel's games until mine was over. However, Nigel seemed to be doing well with a very mobile Q side pawn majority and an extra pawn. His uncastled king was a bit exposed though and suffered a series of checks that saw it walk round via c3 in front of the centre pawns to eventually reach a safer haven on g3. This was an extraordinary feat as the king was open to checks from queen, rook and bishop. Nigel looked completely calm throughout and I really don't know whether Phil could have at least managed a perpetual check. Perhaps Nigel will circulate his game - I would like to see it. As soon as his king was safe, Nigel launched a winning counter attack and Phil's flag dropped in a lost position. (Marple 2.5 Macclesfield 1.5).

Paul was white against a King's Indian Defence and the position became very blocked but Chris had a space advantage and pressure down the half open b file. Paul's king was sitting uncomfortably on b3 surrounded by pawns and pieces such that, although not under immediate attack, it could not retreat to a safer haven. The h file was also open. Chris seemed to handle the situation very well and, with both players running short of time, the position opened up into a queen and pawn endgame which Chris won. Paul may have missed a draw via checking - only post analysis will tell.

So the final score was Marple 2.5 Macclesfield 2.5 but Marple win via tie break - i.e. bottom board elimination.

Chris Baker