Stoke league skipper, Phil, aka “Top Cat”, surveyed the division 2 league table on New Year's eve and saw that Macclesfield were joint bottom with just 3 points from 4 matches and thus he had his New Year resolution (so need for a dry January after all!)
On the 6th Macc travelled to Leek to play Cheddleton B. The club champion held Simon, the home skipper; indeed the latter was compelled to take a perpetual check. The secretary likewise held the rising star, Jacob, and then The Cat, Ant and Phil Colville (Philco hereafter) delivered the wins to secure a 4-1 win. Macclesfield went from bottom to top in a division that now saw all clubs on either 4 or 5 points.
On the 16th Newcastle B were the visitors. Dave playing top board played a combination which had a serious flaw but with the Secretary, Top Cat and Dave Mallinson all securing wins, together with Ant's draw, a 3.5-1.5 result was achieved.
Two days later the team travelled to Crewe. Despite a whole day making desperate calls etc, Top Cat couldn't find a board 5 and thus we started one down from a forfeit. Ant's opponent over-stepped the time control and we came back to 1-1. The secretary finally got the better of the League Chairman at the 3rd attempt and Dave secured a draw against Karl. Top Cat's opponent, Neville, always saves his best for our skipper and yet again managed to pull off a win to draw the match 2.5-2.5.
So as we reach the end of January, Macclesfield sit proudly at the top of the table – but other teams have games in hand……..
Super cool B team captain, John-Paul, finally decided at 8:45am on the morning of January 3 that he ought to get round to selecting a side for that evening's away fixture at Chorlton. Several players, who had assumed they'd been dropped having not had the skipper's call earlier, responded positively and thus the side arrived in good time for the 2017 opener. The home team and most of the visitors understood the extreme conditions at Chorlton and came wearing 8 layers (when the heaters were switched on it still took quarter of an hour for the ice droplets to melt) but super cool J-P chose to buck the trend.
The secretary put the visitors 1 up inside the hour with a quick win. Nick, who'd come prepared for the bar not to be open, made it 2 when he recovered from an almost hopeless position and also the disaster of spending nearly 5 minutes on his clock when he forgot to press it. Phil ground out a win when his opponent, Alan, went wrong and then Denzil declined a draw when his opponent had a forced perpetual. His opponent then decided to vary and thus began a saga…..
Joachim turned round a material deficit and the captain made it 5 with a vicious attack. The secretary looked forward to an early return home – a big mistake!
Denzil's game reached the stage Q + 3 pawns v Q. Both players embarked on long checking sequences aimed at creating some sort of record. Scoresheets were filled and new ones started. Denzil seemed determined not to move his pawns and spectators began to prey for the 50 move rule to kick in. Denzil's pen ran out, his opponent's pencil snapped – or maybe they had less than 5 minutes with the Fischer increments - but certainly there were groans when it was realised that no-one was now counting moves. Suddenly Denzil moved a pawn (oh no!) and nearby pubs emptied.
Spectators took it in turns to have a nap and then, in what seemed like the small hours, Denzil blundered a pawn and, eventually another, and finally, in what might have been the longest game in the league had anyone been counting, had to settle for the draw which had been offered hours earlier!
Arriving at the Queens Hotel, I was met by 4 teams with expectant looks raring to play. My first task was to arrange the furniture in a way that was both practical and logical. Thanks to David R, Richard and all those who helped. My second task was to hand out our new clocks all pre-set by Geoff the Sec. What no one bargained for was yours truly pressing the wrong button. In an instant all confidence in these clocks was lost and both the indigenous and the tourists thrust their clocks forward for checking in a scene akin to the run on the Northern Rock Bank. Bluster and Bluff got me through that one and with everyone’s fears assuaged we commenced play. `Where are the scoresheets`?’ somebody exclaimed. Really? A big heartfelt thanks to Martyn from Newcastle who was on hand to pull some out of his briefcase faster than the magical rabbit out of a hat. Who’d be a Team Captain?
Marple B French Defenders teased Qa5 out of Tony and Phil on boards 4 + 6. I should learn more of the French but c`est la vie. Marc was first to finish losing quickly to the experienced David P. Denzil was next losing a second pawn in a Queen and Rook ending before blundering. Finally a win on board 6 with Phil Co losing the early advantage but recovering to take advantage of his opponent’s blunder. My game fizzled out really quickly, the significance of the draw not fully apparent at the time but the game was as dead as a doornail deader than Jacob Marley himself. At this point I went down to the bar and on my return the match was decided with a win for Alan H of Marple who has won far too many games against Macclesfield as has the Marple club in general. I make this 3 out of 3 this year in Division 2 alone all by the narrowest of margins.
Finally a bit of festive cheer with my old friend Tony Lane recording his first victory since his return to the game after 34 years. The first victory of many I am certain. On behalf of Macclesfield Chess Club – Seasons Greetings and A Happy and Healthy New Year to all our readers and supporters from the Man with Hat.