Combined and Divided Resources

Wahltuch Cup Second Round           Marple 2 v Blue Club 2

Blue Club are a combination of Rochdale and Oldham and we knew we would be facing a strong team. So it was unfortunate we also had a  Stockport League game on the same night.  Jeff and I managed to find thirteen players and selected two teams each with an average grade of about 120.  Unfortunately Blue Club were, as we expected, about twenty points stronger on every board.

The Navi looked good with thirteen boards in play and a few visitors as well.  The visiting players also played a part in helping the bar takings, but not to the point were it affected their chess.  We gave all their players  a competitive game and no one finished early.  Terry continued his good form and Nigel got a great win on top board.  Toby also got a good draw with a 32 point grade deficit. The rest of us unfortunately didn't. 

I got into a mess when my intended King's Indian became a Pirc Defence.  My opponent had a queen-protected Bishop on h6 for much of the game and I managed to turn things with a very nice pin.  His queen was also  protecting the pinned knight and I won a piece.  However I was also in time trouble, spotted a queen-winning move a split second too late and then, with six seconds on my clock, moved my own Queen to the only forbidden place.

1. N Livesey  (145)       1-0    A Catz  (160)

2.  C Baker  (134)         0-1     M Taylor  (159)

3.  T Cowling  (133)  0.5-0.5  D Aspinall  (145)

4.  M Cutts  (122)          0-1    A Dunkerley  (143)

5.  N Dainty  (112)        0-1     R Gavin  (134)

6.  T Doust  (107)          0-1     D Atherton  (132)

7.  T Brown  (100est)     0-1    B Stapleton  (132)

             Marple 2        1-5-5.5       Blue Club 2