Played at Holmes Chapel Chess Club last evening -
Holmes Chapel V Marple A Stockport Lge. Div.1 05/03/2015
1 JLB Blackburn 1-0 A Horton
2 JM Turner 0.5/0.5 M Fernandez
3 P Bennett 0-1 I Lentzos
4 M Hancock 0-1 I Craft
5 B Scattergood 0-1 G Trueman
6 I Bates 0-1 N Livesey
1.5-4.5
With several of our stalwarts unavailable I was worried as to how strong a team we would be able to field . Fortunately enough of our higher graded players were able to make it to one of our remotest away fixtures to ensure we would be very competitive against what is always high calibre opposition.
The evening didn't start too well as I inadvertently took Isaac on a tour of South Manchester in an attempt to find Andys house. This and heavy traffic wasn't able to prevent us arriving at HC for 7.30.As I wrote the team down on the scoresheet I wondered - "With an average age of 17 - Was this the youngest top four boards Marple have ever fielded?".
Ioannis was the first to finish. Faced with an Alekhine Defence he seemed to almost effortlessly secure an advantage.My own game meant I really didn't see much of this encounter and before I was aware of what was really happening Ioannis had won. Since I have great respect for Pats play, to defeat him in under two hours play was some achievement - and of course a great start for us (1-0).
My opponent was the rapidly improving Ben Scattergood. This was the first time we have met but I have sat on adjacent boards to him enough times in matches and congresses to know that he can be a very difficult opponent. I particularly didn't fancy taking on his French Defence and so decided to try a Parsnip Attack (Copyright Mike Bigham c.1986). This proved to be a good choice as Ben went clearly wrong on move 11 allowing me to win a pawn and have a strong central position as well. Ben threw further fuel on the fire in an attempt to create play but as long as I played with caution it wasn't going to be enough and I was able to secure resignation by move 30 (2-0).
I was particularly grateful to Michael for turning out on Board 2. Michael had been very unwell the day before and was still clearly suffering. John Turner is not perhaps the opponent you would want in such circumstances. Here he played what I believe is known as the "Apocalypse Attack" which features a very early Ne5 against the Caro-Kann.I had seen John use this line to defeat Adam Tyton (for many years a Caro expert) in under 20 moves in a County match before Christmas , so I was a little concerned. A very murky middlegame ensued after Michael castled long to create an interesting position where John seemed to have play on the Queenside but Michael had chances on the half open g file. I don't think either player wanted a draw but eventually the situation clarified to a position where neither side could make any progress (2.5-0.5).
Andys game was next to finish. This was a real heavyweight tussle between two very strong players. Finally Andys strength seemed to be telling as he won a pawn and had Bishop V Knight in a situation where the Knight was glumly placed on the a file. The big problem was Andy had no time left and was playing on ten second increments, which is at times virtually impossible to do. I didn't see what happened at the end but Andy lost on time, which was very unfortunate and undeserved. I may be a Luddite but part of me still yearns for the days when we played 30/75 + 12/30 and adjourned after three hours play. Holmes Chapel were back in the match (2.5 - 1.5)....
But only for about sixty seconds as Isaac' opponent resigned to take us over the line. These two players had met when we played at Marple. Then Isaac won a very bloody struggle in a Kings Gambit. This time Mr Hancock tried the relatively calmer waters of a Scotch. Isaac seemed to know the intricacies of this variation better than his opponent and exited the opening with a clear advantage. According to Isaac he then let Michael back into the game somewhat but was still able to win the Rook ending. (3.5 - 1.5).
The last game to finish was Nigels. This was a very interesting French with...Nc6 in a line that I think they have battled over before. From what I saw Nigel always seemed to be a bit better though he was forced into what was a promising exchange sacrifice on f3. After the smoke cleared it became apparent that only Nigel had winning chances but it wouldn't be easy and eventually the notorious ending of Rook +Pawn V Rook was reached. Unfortunately for Ian his King was cut off and Nigel demonstrated excellent technique to bring home the full point. (4.5 - 1.5).
So a very good victory against strong opponents. Many thanks to all who played/ drove, much appreciated by me.
A final note - subject to League approval the Charnley Cup Final will be Holmes Chapel V Marple (at HC) on the 7th of May. I'm sure there's something else happening that day but I can't think what it is?
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