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.
Sale 1 - 4 Macclesfield `C`
Unable to find a Basil Fawlty branch to beat my non-starting car meant a dash to the bus stop in the cold, wet and windy. A bus ride to Macclesfield and there I met the team and a special thank you to Tom for agreeing to drive at short notice and to Dave M for driving me home. First to finish on Board 3 was Dave M who just gets more aggressive and better with every game. David S followed shortly after having made his pawn advantage pay in what could have been a tricky rook and pawn endgame - 2 nil to Macc. On Board 4 Tom had seized the initiative and then traded down to what should have been a winning king and pawn endgame. However, with the winning post in sight, a lapse of concentration and our beautiful game can be so unforgiving 2-1. Marc on top board has been inconsistent this season but he played an absolutely beautiful game against his erstwhile teammate Vijay bringing home the full point shortly after 9.20pm. That left the best part of an hour for Man with the Hat and his opponent to entertain the crowd in a surreal atmosphere. The Hat prevailed but only after several scares. This team is growing in confidence and stature with every game that we play and if we can maintain this sort of form then who knows where we will be come the end of April.