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.
Macclesfield `C` arrived at Altrincham looking for an incredible 6 wins on the trot. Looking at the team sheets, I expected a close battle….A rare appearance from Mrs Hat who apparently made a real fist of it before succumbing to the Altrincham skipper. I didn’t see any of this particular game as such intrusions from Mr Hat are a definite no-no, a heinous crime punishable by `the look` with further transgressions potentially met with `the stare`. Dave M was next to fall, a piece down with the queens off, he was left with only tricks and traps that his competent opponent easily met. David S carried on the procession of one nils being carved into the record books to the delight of the home players and spectators. A pawn down in a minor piece and pawns endgame but with a bishop v knight, this could easily have been a half but it wasn’t to be. Marc, in a rich vein of form, went for one beautiful win too far when the experienced Mr McCartney found a save and emerged a piece up. A neat combination then saw bishop and queens traded off and Marc struggled from then on in. That left Man with the Hat to negotiate a draw and the team was able to skulk off early, tails between our legs. Congratulations to Altrincham on a thoroughly deserved win and we live to fight another day, don’t know where, don’t know when, somewhere over the rainbow, Que sera sera, whatever will be will be.
The Macc `C` Juggernaut roared into Cheadle Hulme last night looking for a record 5th win on the bounce and hoping to consolidate their position near the top of the table. Marc on top board was, for the second match in a row, in blistering form with the white pieces and a well prepared c4 opening opened up his opponent in quick time – one nil to Macc. David S was next to finish and from the little I saw was in control for most of his match prompting his opponent to resign. Oh Dear, MWH was gifted a significant material advantage and immediately after this his opponent left a knight hanging only for the Hat to miss this completely. Instead of closing out the game I succumbed to a mating net. Well played to my opponent and we’ll move along (swiftly) 2-1. Dave M seemed to be treading a familiar path i.e. grabbing a couple of pawns and trading down. However, on this occasion, the wily Mr Vaughan planted 2 rooks on the seventh and forced a draw. All eyes now on Board 4 where Tom was defending R + 5 pawns (1 passed) against R + N + 4. Was the Hat’s faux pas going to be costly? A draw was offered, Keith refused but then Tom wins a pawn ( the only defence being a repetition) and with less time than Tom, Keith decides that discretion is the better part of valour and a draw is agreed. 3-2 to Macc `C` and another momentum building win.