Macc C took another beating last night as their Cheshire rivals closed in on the Division 2 title. Macclesfield C are still hanging on grimly to their Division 2 status, not by their own volition but by the inability of others to cut the cord. One last chance on 23rd April and even then it’s out of our hands. Macc C failed to post a game win recording 3 halves and 3 losses for a second consecutive match. Marc was at his brilliant best and infuriating worst. Facing Tudor on board 6 he somehow managed to power his h2 pawn onto g6 but then dropped a piece and in a classic case of chess denial dropped a second minor piece. Perhaps a plume of unnerve gas had found itself into the room. Pete had only just finished shuffling the wood about for a creditable half against Keven and this was matched by Man with Hat who was left frustrated when all the artillery was clattered off down the e-file. A quick look at David’s form for the season (unbeaten in Stockport League) helped numb the pain. Ant was next to finish. Having dropped a piece to Geoffrey on board 2 it was too much even for the king of the swindles 1-3. The prize for tenacity went to Joachim who hung on for his half when it looked like he was going to go 2 pawns down to Paul B the East Cheshire captain then again what do I know! Last to finish was East Cheshire’s top board John who found a way through in an absorbing finish against the animated Francis who threw everything at his opponent. MWH was going to mention that we were out-graded on every board and by a mean average of 21.5 but I thought better of it. As for Mrs Hat, she was less than impressed that I failed to restore the family honour against David who had beaten her some years ago.Well played East Cheshire and good luck for the rest of the season in particular your next match against Marple!
Another bad day at the office for Macc C sees their Division 2 status hanging by a thread. However 3 draws and no wins doesn’t really tell the whole story. PhilCo was inconsolable after failing to execute a planned mate against Dave K and spent most of the night on the phone to the Samaritans having reversed the charges. Tony sliced and diced his opponent Daniel netting a piece before blundering it back only to regain the advantage but allowing a perpetual. Marc also burst through his opponent Paul’s defences grabbing the Queen but at a cost of a Rook and a Knight. With pawns on the board this should have been a win but when the pawns dropped so did any chance of the full point. John played an assured game keeping ice cool in a sub 5 minute finish to secure a draw against Andrew (joint winner of the Stockport Rapidplay minor). David S appeared to be struggling from early on against a tough opponent in Howard H and as for Man with Hat well I’ll be brief. I played the Pirc for a good many years so why do I struggle playing against it? I spectacularly failed to hold the middle of the board, I miscalculated a combination and then was outplayed in the endgame. I thought my endgame was getting better, obviously not. Well played to my opponent Richard who played much better than I and well played to Chorlton who won well despite encountering traffic problems on the way to the Queens Hotel stadium. Onwards and downwards we go and MWH can look forward to some self-flagellation. Now that has brought a smile to Mrs Hat’s face!
The Macc Lads looked to build on their latest win and hopefully start to pick up points and move away from the dropzone. Wilmslow have players on the top boards that we have struggled to match. Man with Hat thought he’d get some help by calling up Magnus who duly turned up. Unfortunately a Fixtures Secretary just happened to be passing and gave me some advice and my not so cunning plan was thwarted. My fears were yet again realised when late replacement Ant misplayed an early combination and ended up a piece down. Trying to win back a knight with a knight is not the easiest of things to do! Yet another win to Kevin 0-1. On board 2, Pete was facing an equally dangerous opponent in Richard who lured Pete’s Queen into his spider’s web. Ensnared with no way out 0-2. John on board 6 was next to fall, beaten by a wily and experienced Robin 0-3. This couldn’t get any worse……….and it didn’t!!!
Marc on Board 5 has had a torrid time this year (as has MWH). Marc had taken a draw in his previous game because he didn’t want to risk another loss and he had another very drawish position here but with steely determination and eyes focussed on the board he rose like a phoenix from the ashes. He knew that nothing less than a win would do. In a gladiatorial display he pressed and pressed and finally delivered the full point 1-3. Next up was my old school pal Tony, playing side by side with Man with Hat just like all those years ago, together again, Last of the Summer Wine and young lives being squandered on this addiction that we share. Tony was absolutely brilliant on the night, slicing and dicing his opponent with deadly accuracy leaving the score 2-3. Yep, you’ve guessed it, it’s time for the baying mob to circle round the board and watch MWH. Now regular readers of this blog will be aware that MWH has an alter ego i.e. Mr Hat. Now he has another – Captain Fantastic. Having messed up the opening (again) he clings on desperately and then counters. With less than 5 minutes on the clock, his opponent blunders and the comeback is complete 3-3.
This team may well go down but if tonight’s performance is anything to go by then it will go down fighting. Well played to everyone involved in this fixture played in excellent spirit. 6 great games and no draws.
NB: Mr + Mrs Hat will be at the Blackpool congress this weekend.