AND WE'RE OFF!

And we’re off!

After months of fevered excitement, of stomach-churning adrenalin rushes, of dreams of glory, of verses of `this is my quest, to follow that star`, Macc C’s season finally gets underway with the visit of Marple. It’s not bonfire night until a week on Sunday and the majority of players took heed with the notable exception of Marc whose very own firework display on Board 6 illuminated the Macclesfield skyline. On the opposite side of the room (Board 1) an equalising point from Paul over PhilCo. I didn’t see exactly what happened as Denzil was taking me through `an idiots guide to setting Digital clocks`. It looked like PhilCo was trying to build a mating net to compensate for being a piece down. It didn’t quite work and the extra move taken by PhilCo in time pressure forgot about the mate that he himself was facing.

Sandwiched in between were 4 draws, Board 5 and John playing his debut game for Macclesfield takes a good ½ from the hugely experienced Mr Doust. Board 4 and our Tony agrees an equally cagey draw with Martin C. Man with the Hat gets spooked by Tony Kays active Queen and takes off the ladies at the cost of undoubling his opponents pawns and with it any hope of winning the game. Board 2 decider and this one went down to the wire. Marple’s Alan is up a Rook and 2 pawns against a Rook and 1. Never easy with the pawns close together and Joachim holds out for the draw.

4 Draws in a 3-3 match draw. It is what it is! exclaims Mr Hat profoundly. Mrs Hat refuses to be drawn and limits herself to a slow shaking of the head. The chess season has indeed begun.

MACCLESFIELD HEAD FIRST DIVISION TABLE

Macclesfield , against all odds now head the Stockport League Division 1 table. This may not sound very exciting but it is Macclesfield B leading the way.

Team manager (John-Paul Taylor) suggested this might be a "Two horse race between Macc B and Macc A for the division 1 title now"

The Team standout performance has been Joachim Trier with 3/3 (100% record)

Well done to Macclesfield B , although this will undoubtly be short lived, we will enjoy it while it lasts

HITTING THE BUFFERS IN RAILWAY TOWN

Hey Mister Porter what shall we do, we meant to play at Scarborough but we’ve ended up in Crewe!

Mr & Mrs Hat racked up early having made the short trip from Derbyshire to support our friends in Crewe…..

Round 1 and Man with Hat is gifted a piece early on and dreams of an early visit to the bar for the purpose of imbibing with our congenial hosts. Also known as `The Ditherer` MWH contrives to finish last and comes through the X-Factor doors with the full point only to be greeted by burglars and owls. Well played to Steve S for putting up such dogged resistance. Unbeknown to the Hat, Mrs Hat had received a full point bye after her opponent withdrew at the last minute (we hope all is well).

After a hearty breakfast, we are joined by our Macclesfield cohorts Geoff and Francis (Major) and Patrick (Minor). MWH (Inter) moves to 2 ½ / 3 at the end of Saturday having made friends with Crewe gladiators Ricky, Lucasz and Chris.

Round 4 and I’ve trapped my bishop for the 2nd time in a week (Unbelievable)! I eventually slip the handcuffs for the knockdown price of just 1 pawn and immediately launch an overdue attack against my youthful opponent. Too late and my opponent’s understanding of pawn endgames that belies his age leaves Man with Hat desperately clinging onto the opposition for a save. As the crowds start to mill around the scoreboard it becomes clear that MWH will still have a shot at some prizemoney but with all the excitement he makes a fatal mistake. Mrs Hat, winless on the previous day, had pulled off a terrific win and the Hat had spectacularly failed to ask about her successful endeavours. At the time of going to the Blog press, Mr Hat is still grovelling with 2021 being touted as the thaw year!

MWH gets shot down in the final round, brutally dispatched by a decent player in form and courtesy of a Ginger GM video (Simon Williams). Not even time to imagine the elusive cheque let alone time to dream of spending it. Time to watch Patrick enjoying himself, Mrs Hat adding to her total and Geoff surviving a stern test by a ridiculously young opponent.

A big thank you to Les and the team for a well run weekend.