Another night of frustration for the C team as they are held yet again. The withdrawal of Marc meant a rare appearance for Mrs Hat. Having arrived early for this contest, Mrs H proceeded to the bar only to discover that the pub only had ½ a bottle of red wine left (she had wanted to order an Industrial Bulk Container)! This was the start of what was to be another disappointing night for the C team warriors. Protocol forbids me from commenting on Mrs Hat’s performance when she loses so I won’t be mentioning it again. Played a good game against a text book Pirc defence only to lose a piece and then when the Ladies came off the board on move 31 it became a straightforward win for Neil D. John was promoted up the order and still managed to win over the vastly experienced Trefor after first winning a pawn and then trading up to an exchange and then a full piece. Again, once the ladies were off the board, a straightforward win and its 1-1 and 5/5 for John. Denzil on top board finished early after the wood was clattered off in quick time. I stared at the final position not able to work it out but it looked to be a gloriously complicated King + Pawns endgame and winning these are always good for the soul if indeed I can remember the feeling. A win for Denzil over David means its 2-1 in our favour. Joachim was playing Neil D and seemed to be locked in a bruising encounter, never any more than a pawn in it and a draw was agreed. The last rites were then read for Man with Hat who was able to skilfully create a passed pawn but it was too little too late. My grading is plummeting faster than the gravity that keeps me from my next home in the sun. Well played to Antony and well played Marple who were heavily out graded on the top 3 boards.
Macc `C contrived to lose their unbeaten record despite a stunning win by Tony Lane on top board. The Macc lads continued their tour round the M60 orbital with a match against Altrincham. Although Macc C were out-graded on every board, there wasn’t a lot in it and I expected a close contest. Tony was first to finish with a quality victory over Sheraz using a sharp line of the Kings Gambit. Tony was ahem surprised to learn of his opponent`s grade. Well done Tony and it seems that Macc C finally have a solution to their top board woes (LOL). Board 2 and Man with Hat plays a sound opening but then fails to play a must play move and ends up struggling. I spend 10 minutes contemplating the unthinkable before playing the obvious. Grimly holding on to a ½ point the self- inflicted damage to my clock tipped me over and a blunder ensued. Well played Tom for a well- executed finish and its 1-1. You know how it is, you have all the moves ready and in the correct order then you go ALTERING `EM (A despairing shaking of the head from Mrs Hat). Board 3 and Marc resumes hostilities with old adversary Bill. Marc stormed through the middle but then diverted his attack to the relief of his opponent. Marc had beaten Bill in April 2016 to help lift the Division 3 title on an unforgettable night at Morton Hall. That was then and this is now and Macc are 1-2 down. The rapidly improving John A leveled the scores and I make that 4/4 in the Stockport league. John, I`m watching! All eyes on board 5 and the baying mob are treated to their pound of flesh. Our Tom v Alty`s Jeff and its 2-2 and a draw all day long. Rook + 4 plays Rook + 4. If anyone was going to win then Tom had a passed pawn but Tom swapped the Rooks off losing the passed pawn for no return plus the game and the match, Ouch! We’ve all been there Tom and as for Man with Hat, these are dark hours and the hardest thing is knowing i`ll survive. Two more games before Xmas gives us a great opportunity to bounce back. Afterall, its only a game (A further shaking of the head from Mrs Hat).Well played Altrincham and thanks for the hospitality, friendly as ever.
Pack yer bags, fill up with petrol, we’re going on a tour of the M60! So the Macc C lads are on the road again and the first stop is Urmston. A new venue for Man with Hat and a good one, good enough for ½ of a Chorlton team to come wandering in part way through (answers on a postcard)! Pete C on board 2 had a solid defensive structure that induced a draw offer from John R the ECF silver rep. and after further consideration this was eventually accepted. A good ½ to start with. The remaining 4 players looked OK but the strongest position belonged to Tom and a win over the affable Jim B beckoned. I wasn’t reading Board 1 very well and Macc’s Tony B succumbed to Jordi B. 1 ½ each and I now know how the night, if not the score, is going to end. Marc wasn’t at his best and having smashed his opponents’ defences open at a cost he overreached leaving Dave B to skilfully tidy up. Now the 2 captains, MWH and Tim P were locked horns to decide the outcome of the match. Avid readers of this blog will have noticed a certain lethargy of late due to a stressful year or two with solicitors (ssshhh, if they hear they will charge)! However, a Superhero returns, another alter ego and a Captain Fantastic proceeds to win the full point and a ½ point for his team. Mrs Hat stays up to welcome home her other half but declines to listen to the details. Still unbeaten and onwards we march.
Well played Urmston and we look forward to seeing you for the return in the New Year.