Just a point required to be crowned champions of Division 3. Macclesfield `C` entertain Altrincham `B` in the basement of a community hall – with Zamba classes being held upstairs!! For those not familiar, the beat and more pertinently the loudness is somewhere between the Notting Hill Carnival and that other one in Rio. Mercifully, it ended at 9pm. Tom was first to finish with a win. Having struggled with his form in recent weeks, this was a gutsy performance to win when it mattered most. Next was Marc looking to avenge a defeat he suffered at the beginning of last month. Having engineered a passed pawn advantage, he was on top in a Queen & Double Rook ending when his opponent under pressure blundered and allowed Marc to fork his rooks. On hearing the 2-0 scoreline, Dave M exchanged a solid and promising position for an agreed championship winning draw. Objective secured in an almost anti-climatic way. David S, having fended off a vicious Kingside attack then went on to win his game meaning that the match had now been won. The only blip was Man with the Hat who played poorly throughout but full credit and congratulations to my opponent who did play well and thoroughly deserved his win. There was still time for the championship winning captain to be carried shoulder high down to the Queens Hotel where a guard of honour had been formed to throw Man with Hat into a bath full of champagne after he nodded off, contented and with a glass of scotch in his hand.
A special thanks to Jenny Soames for booking the venue at short notice and to the Altrincham team for being good sports when confronted with the cacophony that greeted them.
Macclesfield `C` stand on the brink of glory following last night's win over East Cheshire `C`. However, 2 very tricky fixtures stand in their way. If Altrincham can come anywhere close to matching their form in the 1st fixture then a title decider at Wilmslow will surely follow.
It’s not good to win a match by default so the triumphalism normally associated with these Blogs will have to be put on hold. Marc on top board kicked off proceedings. After castling kingside and presumably lulling his opponent into a sense of security, Marc then commenced to launch a kingside pawn storm. His opponent refuted this but then missed a move and allowed Marc to liquidate into a won pawn endgame. Man with Hat had to endure a piece sacrifice and used most of his time finding accurate play. I am confident that analysis will show my position was sound but it sure didn’t feel like it until some large lady began to warm up her vocal chords. Tom played Keith for the 4th time in the last 2 seasons and this time experience came out on top. David S was last to finish. David looked to have good compensation for a piece but then he inexplicably threw everything but the kitchen sink in vain – Washer, dryer, fridge/freezer i.e a fully fitted kitchen. A 2-2 draw that turned into a 3-2 win by default. Our luck needs to hold out for one more match. Watch this space!
After the mauling at the hands of Altrincham B, it was probably a good time for the C team to take a month off. The short trip across the county was made in brilliant sunshine and a far cry from the darkness that prevails in the winter months. Having won the first fixture against Stockport by the narrowest of margins, another nail biter was expected. Tom was first to finish, he never got going and was mated by an unholy bishop. David S was quick to equalise, having won the exchange he was able to make his material advantage tell. Another competent performance, well played! 2 wins required and glancing at the boards I thought that we might take all three. Unfortunately, Marc lost a white knuckle ride of a game that had the locals and bystanders analysing long into the night. A quieter game was being played out by the Man with the Hat whose opponent resigned 2 pawns down ( obviously not aware of my propensity to self destruct)! All eyes on board 3 where Ray had pushed his king far up the board to support his passed pawn. However, after his youthful opponent gave up his last piece (a Rook) to take the pawn, Ray’s rook was then needed to stop the advance of 4 pawns (2 x doubled up) waddling up the centre of the board. Nobody seemed to know what the outcome should or would be but a masterclass in temperament and technique from Ray wins the match for Macclesfield C.