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 !
Macclesfield `A` delivered the perfect riposte after last week's `black monday`. Everyone contributed to a 5-1 scoreline that had local chess historians feverishly thumbing back through the annals. Man with the Hat left at 9pm and missed the action but sources close to the Hat inform him that Dmitri's win was particularly impressive.
07-12-15 The Macc Lads returned to Wilmslow after just one week. This time to defend the Presidents’ Cup that they had won so dramatically last April. With Wilmslow fielding exactly the same side and Macclesfield having beefed up their top order, hopes were high. Phil Co playing the same opponent as last week was made to fight this time around but still managed to win a king and pawn ending 1:0. Pete on Board 4 navigated his opponent’s Evans Gambit and looked to be 2 pawns up until a complicated melee left him a piece down. His opponent used the extra material to great effect winning back the pawns that proved to be inadequate compensation 1:1. The top 2 boards were ferocious battles and Phil Cat and Ant made their higher graded opponents fight all the way (Ant’s opponent had 17 seconds left with no increments). Both games however were lost. My opponent’s position had collapsed under the pressure of a blitz finish but it mattered not. Congratulations and best wishes to Wilmslow whilst we are left to lick our wounds with memories of that balmy, halcyon, heady, spring evening when we won the cup.