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