CAPTAIN'S MISSED OPPORTUNITY

The second team faced a strong Stockport team on Tuesday. With the 75 minute team limit and my inability to think quickly I didn't leave my seat, so I didn't see anything of the other games. We were significantly outgraded on all but the two top boards.

David Preen (128) relished the prospect of playing against his winter team and was first to finish with a win against Peter King (127): but Tony Doust (108) lost to Vic Rushworth (135) shortly after.

The other four games all went close to the wire and not too long before the end I am told the match was closely balanced. Jeff (118) had a good winter season and his strong form continued with a fine win against Marc Jackson (132) who blundered a rook. Unfortunately Tony Kay (132) fell to Peter Taylor (140) on top board and Barrie (61) survived to the end but finally succumbed when four pawns down to Anthony Prime (108). He's usually lost his match and won three friendlies before the evening is out!

I played a Vienna against John Kelly, who thought long and hard after I played 3. f4. I knew I was playing a far stronger opponent, although I didn't realise he was graded 134, so when he played
3.... Nc6 I thought he must know what he was doing and I missed the obvious continuation. I hadn't faced that reply before and won't make the same mistake again!

My next few moves could have better but I then played the better chess and had a strong position after move 25 (see diagram below). I know I looked at 25. Bd6 but failed to play it. I now realise that it was time to stop looking for a mating attack and use my advantage to further strengthen my position. Unfortunately I was soon playing quickly against the clock and blundered but not before John only refused a draw after instructions from his captain.

We play them at home next Monday when I hope to field a slightly stronger team.

DAINTY,Neil (93) - KELLY,John (134) [C30]

1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.f4 Nc6 4.Nf3 [4.fxe5 Nxe5 5.d4 Nc6 6.e5 Ng8] 4...d6 5.fxe5 dxe5 6.Be2 Be6 7.d3 Qd7 8.h3 0–0–0 9.Be3 Kb8 10.Ng5 Be7 11.Nxe6 fxe6 12.Qd2 Ka8 13.a4 Bb4 14.0–0 Nd4 15.Qd1 Bc5 16.Na2 Nxc2 17.Bxc5 Nxa1 18.Qxa1 b6 19.Bf2 Qxa4 20.Nc3 Qxa1 21.Rxa1 c6 22.Bxb6 Rd7 23.Bc5 Rb8 24.Na4 Rdb7 Diagram

XABCDEFGHY
8ktr-+-+-+(
7zpr+-+-zpp'
6-+p+psn-+&
5+-vL-zp-+-%
4N+-+P+-+$
3+-+P+-+P#
2-zP-+L+P+"
1tR-+-+-mK-!
xabcdefghy

25.Bd1 [25.Bd6 Rb5 26.Bxb8 Kxb8] 25...Nd7 26.Be3 h6 27.Be2 Nf6 28.Nc5 Rxb2 29.Nxe6 Rb1+ 30.Rxb1 Rxb1+ 31.Kf2 a5 32.Nxg7 a4 33.d4 exd4 34.Bxd4 Nxe4+ 35.Ke3 c5 36.Be5 Re1 37.Bb2 Ng3 38.Ba3 Rxe2+ 39.Kf3 Ra2 40.Bxc5 Nf1 41.g4 Nd2+ 42.Kf4 Rc2 43.Ba3 Nc4 44.Bf8 Rf2+ 0–1