The two 2018-2019 club tournaments played under standard time limits have now finished. The winner of the Club Championship is James Heppell; the winner of the Pomeroy Cup is Francis Moan. I understand from Francis that the two games in his final were closely fought. They finished Francis Moan 1½-½ Ant Brough. My standard time limit games against James were also close: finishing with two draws.
The title was decided by James winning both of the subsequent rapidplay games.
Six players took part in the Pomeroy Cup: John Astley, Ant Brough, Tony Lane, Francis Moan, Mick Renshaw, Tom Robson. Twelve players took part in the Club Championship: Phil Cattermole, Phil Colville, Patrick Curr, Colin Davison, Carl Gartside, James Heppell, Geoff Laurence, Denzil Lobo, Dave Risley, Tony Soames, John-Paul Taylor, Joachim Trier, Unfortunately, for health reasons, Patrick had to withdraw before completing all his games. I hope that his health will allow him to participate in club activities next season. Thank you to all the players who took part for their sportsmanship and making the job of the organiser an easy one.
I hope next season's competitions will be equally enjoyable for all players - whether they win or lose!
The last Club night of the season on MON 20th MAY 2019 hosts the Spring Handicap rapid-play tournament. This is a fun event and a great way to finish off the season. It also a great chance for everybody to get together to reflect on the season.
STOCKPORT LEAGUE
Macclesfield A finished THIRD in Division 1 with 11 points
Macclesfield B finished FIFTH in Division 1 with 5 points but more importantly survived regelation again.
Macclesfield C finished SECOND in division 3 with 15 points but missed out on promotion
Macclesfield D (limit league) finished THIRD in the LIMIT LEAGUE with 13 points
STOKE LEAGUE
Macclesfield finished SECOND in division 2 with 14 points
This is open to all club members and prospective members. The Pollard Cup is awarded to the club member who achieves the best total from any two of these events.
There is a £2 entry fee for each event, all of which is returned to the participants in the form of three prizes.
Players have 15 minutes in which to make all their moves. For each ten grading points
difference (rounded up) two minutes are added to the weaker player's time and two minutes
removed from the stronger player. No player will have less than 3 minutes for all their
moves.
The arbiter will, when present, stop the game when one clock falls. Players are expected
to act in a sportsmanlike manner and resign when they see their clock has fallen.
Also players should "move a piece and press the clock" with the same hand which is an important rule at the death of a game.
Macclesfield C finished where they began with yet another draw making 7 out of 12 for the season.
With a North Staffs Open Final to squeeze in next to Macc C’s last match of the season its a massive thank you from Man with Hat to all of those who turned up early to get this vital double-header up and running and on time. Macclesfield C had drawn their previous 3 matches and this had effectively ruled out any chance of lifting the division 3 trophy. MWH had in recent years come used to giving it pride of place on the window sill much to the exasperation of Mrs Hat. The match against Worsley was always going to be more of a coronation than a bloodthirsty fight to the finish…...
First to return was top board with the Worsley captain Adam defeating Francis for a second time in a month. Posting 2 pawns where it hurts Adam restricted Francis but just as Francis was unfurling his trapped troops a mistake was made and the resignation followed. A quick equaliser followed on my other side where Paul for Worsley was about to splice and dice Tony with a bishop pair plus Queen commanding the majority of an open board. Despite craning my neck I have no idea whether Paul overstretched or miscalculated but I do know that you can’t give our Tony a second chance. Marc on board 5 sometimes mercurial always enigmatic returns a ½ point against Matthew P. It looked like a Knight plus 3 against a Rook plus 1 so probably a fair result. Then there was our John previously unbeaten in the Stockport League with 11/12 but recently overtaken in the race for the Vic Knox Trophy. Obviously too emotional to focus after such devastating news it’s a loss against Damien and its now 1½ : 2½. I don’t know what happened in my game (no change there then). Young George + the Worsley team probably not experienced in the Fischer + incremental time controls (I’m guessing). I’ve won on time before but nothing like this. With the clock speeding down to zero like a scene from Pointless, George, several pawns up, failed by a split second to avoid the dreaded black flag. Its another match draw but more importantly a Well Done and CONGRATULATIONS TO WORSLEY!!
Is that it? enquires Mrs Hat. Yes, replies Man with Hat. The seasons come, the seasons go. Our race (Macc C) has been run but we still look for the outstanding Division 3 results that could see us finish in the top 2. Heartfelt thanks to all who played.
Your Servant,
Man with Hat