Limit League: Marple 1 Denton 3 on 13 Feb 2020

Denton unworried by tropical tactics

We welcomed the icemen of Denton with the Navi's finest central heating but they ran out comfortable winners. However, we were outgraded by an average of about 20 points so this was a decent performance. The main aim of Limit League is to give our rising players opportunities to shine against sometimes moderate opposition. Neil Dee and Phil Macneill earned good draws.

1 Neil Dee v M Murphy draw

2 Phil Macneill v S Bradley draw

3 Paul Maxim 0 D Cook 1

4 J Anderson 0 A Williamson 1

Limit League, 3 Feb 2020: Macclesfield 1.5 v Marple 2.5

Doust does for Macc in trademark endgame

After last week's experiment with cryogenics at Denton's venue, we were well prepared for the chilly but above-freezing-point Queen's Head at Macc. Indeed, El Capitano took and used a large woollen blanket for the first time ever but still played like a plank and had to fight to salvage a draw with white.

On board 2 with black against Mick Renshaw, Tony won a rook-and-pawns endgame after being at least one pawn adrift and with his opponent having a passed pawn on the d-file. In time trouble, Mick made a minor slip, Tony pounced in devastating style, and the passed pawn passed away along with the game.

Then it was all down to board 3, where, with two rooks and a few pawns each, Neil - with an extra bishop - looked to be coasting to victory against Tom Robson. But when Neil lost a rook for nothing, Tom offered a draw and the overall victory was ours.

Astley J v Cutts M  draw

Renshaw M v Doust T 0-1

Robson T v Dainty N draw

Woodhall B v Macneill P draw