A team end year with victory at Denton

Played last evening at Denton chess club.

Denton A             V      Marple A

1 L Antal         0.5/0.5   A Longson
2 T Hilton          0-1       M Fernandez
3 D Holt             0-1       A Walton
4 P Boyd             0-1       J Bentley
5 T Ireland          0-1      S Hegarty
6 M Furlong        0-1      G Trueman

                          0.5/5.5

Arriving in Tameside expecting a very tough battle I discovered that  there was one factor I hadn't taken into account. As Manchester University had already finished for Christmas, Denton were deprived of nearly all of their top players. Although their top couple of boards were capable of giving anyone a tough game their strength tailed away, particularly towards the bottom end. This meant we started this match as very clear favourites although the play was not without interest.

My opponent launched a ferocious attack at my fianchettoed King position. Although after the first few moves it wasn't too sound it was somewhat unnerving and I was glad there wasn't a kitchen sink to hand. I succeeded in repelling the invaders and matters ended swiftly when unfortunately Malcolm left his Queen hanging on move 21.

Often when there is a large disparity in playing strengths the games can be very educational and this was the case on board 5. Although Mr Ireland was probably happy to develop his dark squared Bishop outside a d6,e5 pawn chain it meant it could do nothing at all to help defend his King as Sarah built up a massive Kingside attack. The game ended with a nice mate on the h8 square.

Alex was involved in a very interesting and theoretical Breyer Spanish. Although I didn't see too much of the game the Queenside pawn play of both players was fascinating and I must admit I really didn't know who was better at all. Eventually a draw was agreed.

John seemed to have a won position as Black from a very early stage. I liked the way his dark square Bishop continued to have an impact on the game despite being posted on the unlikely square a1. In the end a Knight fork on d2 left Phil with no alternative to resignation.

David (Holt) fought hard against Alan despite losing a pawn early on. I was pretty sure Alans remorseless technique would triumph in the end and so it proved but not before Alan had to go on to a second scoresheet.

I was intrigued as to how Michael would go about trying to defeat Tim (Hilton) on Board Two particularly as Tim had the White pieces and is playing at a much higher level than his grade would suggest.  The answer was a very complicated middle game where Michael left his King in the centre of the board. I don't know really know who was better but eventually a double Rook ending was reached. I felt Tims decisive mistake was moving his Rook from behind his passed pawn but both players seemed to think that Michael was well on top by that point anyway. What was impressive was the way in which being very short of time didn't seem to worry Michael at all and in the end his central pawn mass prevailed.

So that concludes the A teams fixtures for this year. As always thanks to the players and the drivers.

Glenn.