5th Win on the Spin

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.

Super Macc

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.

B Team Update

It seems a shame to expect Man With The Hat (aka The Crab) to fill all these pages – especially as his prowess at blog production seems to be deterring others, so here goes. The presence of Macclesfield A at the top of the div. 1 table on January 14 meant 100 days at the top – was I the only one having a drink to celebrate?!

Meanwhile the B team skipper has skilfully managed his forces to exceed this stat – it was Jan 7 when they reached 100 days at the top. I wondered why my personal form has collapsed in January – now you know – I've been finding too many excuses for a drink or several. J-P broke a record recently when he contacted me from Malaysia to report we had a late drop out from one of his teams and asked me to get a replacement. What dedication!!

The most recent outing saw me personally making my 3rd visit to Denton in just over 3 months. Believe me this trip is not really that attractive. You wouldn't want to take your holiday there anyway. (Only joking, Denton fans). Ant sadly went down early but then Dave avenged an earlier defeat by overwhelming Denton Skip Tim H. The secretary secured a boring draw, Phil Colville a more vital one. That left 2 of our more in form men, Tony S and The Cat himself, to battle for the win. Tony got his opponent sweating and it resulted in the latter running out of time. And what's this – can The Cat really win a rook ending from level material? Not a problem at all…..