3 on the Spin

Man with the Hat returns from his Tour of Duty (President’s Cup, Charnley Cup and Stoke League) hoping to lead his team to a 3rd consecutive win in Division 3 of the Stockport League. Apologies for the abridged version of events but with the `A` team playing in the same room it wasn’t easy to move about. Picture, if you dare, a middle-aged, slightly rotund gentleman breathing in and performing a crab-like manoeuvre in order to squeeze past his team mate. I did venture out on one occasion only to be drawn back by noticing that my opponent had played the move that I had hoped he might. For a welcome change, I finished first. My opponent either misjudged or missed completely the discovered threat from my fianchettoed bishop 1:0. Marc then signalled that he had lost on top board to the experienced John Kelly 1:1. The ever improving David S, still unbeaten in this season’s Stockport League, was next to declare. I heard others commenting that 3 pieces had been traded for a queen and when I glanced over it looked absolute carnage but David S prevailed. So, 2:1 to Macc and with 2 games to finish and 2 draws required we had 2 safe pairs of hands on the tiller. David M, who is becoming hard to beat, moved his hand faster than Billy the Kid when his opponent offered the draw. That left Pete on Board 2, a pawn to the good but aware of the match score, to agree his draw. 3:2 to Macc.

All square

Macclesfield chess club kicked off the New Year with the return of Dave B and the Cheddleton yoof desparate to avenge the 4-1 drubbing handed out at the school (see Top Cat Deputy blog). B5 and Cheddleton's Dominic gave our Dave M plenty to think about before a draw was agreed. B4 - Oh Dear! Man with the Hat had a material advantage plus 20 minutes left on his clock and the Queens off the board. Its fair to say that I didn't make the best choices from here on in but having conceded the exchange and the initiative to my youthful opponent I was outplayed in what should have been a tricky endgame so well played Jack! B3 and JP seemed to have opted for a quiet thematic game that provided a good foil for the attacking minded Jacob C. 1 win each! B2 and no chance of any tranquility here as Phil Cat gets in an early f4 quickly followed by f5 to win what looked to be an exciting game with Jacob B. B1 and Tony locks horns again with Dave B. Didn't see the opening here but noticed Tony's Queen on f6 - Trompowsky attack? Next time I looked the Queen was back on its more natural square of C7 but Dave B was already applying pressure on the C file and he eventually broke through. So 2.5 each and we move on.

No Hope for Chorlton

A quick chance to avenge their defeat from the previous week presented itself via the Charnley Cup. Chorlton were without Hope at 7.30pm and half an hour later their star player had still not arrived prompting a lesser graded opponent to be installed as a last minute replacement. Robert informs me that his opponent acquitted himself very well and came close to holding on for a draw. It wasn't to be though and Macc were 1-0 up. Around the same time, Man with the Hat and Phil Cat were returning draws. I had a strong position only to blunder a piece but somehow I managed to whip up enough counterplay to create an unclear position and a draw was agreed. Phil and Dennis had clattered off too much wood early doors and despite a bit of jousting, neither was going to concede an advantage. 2-1 to Macc. At this point, I had thought that the Secretary would secure the winning point from Board 3 but it was Chris that won in unfortunate circumstances. His opponent, not realising how or when the 10 second increments were being added, had unintentionally allowed his digital flag to fall. The Secretary, despite having material advantage, had allowed his opponent to shepherd a runaway a pawn and clever end game play enabled the Chorlton player to earn a draw. Tony had lost out in a blitz finish to a strong and in-form opponent but the team win had been secured. A Merry Xmas to all !