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.
November 30th: Macclesfield `C` made the short journey to their neighbours and runaway league leaders Wilmslow. Since Wilmslow have 2 of the top players in this division, any Division 3 side really need to score at least 2 ½ points from the bottom 3 boards if they are to be victorious. Early action on board 3 where Phil Co’s opponent let out a ghoulish gasp of disappointment to signal that he had made a game losing blunder in the opening. Unable to regain his composure, another blunder followed and Phil was back in his car by a quarter to nine. Board 5 looked to be entertaining and Wilmslow’s Mr Warhurst appeared to have a lively kingside attack but, with what appeared to be a piece for 2 pawns compensation, our rapidly improving David S refuted the attack to earn his fourth Stockport League win on the spin. Next to finish was Pete on Board 2 and as the post match conversation seemed amiable I thought a draw may have been salvaged but alas, no. 2 – 1 to the Macc Lads and I’m guessing its up to Man with the Hat to bring home the bacon. An advanced pawn to the good with a time advantage I hadn’t factored in my opponent’s absolute determination not to roll over but the win was eventually secured. Minutes earlier Marc on top board had come with news of his excellent draw against a much higher graded opponent.
23rd November: Macclesfield `C` host Sale looking for a much needed morale boosting first win. First to win was David S who was already significant material ahead before I had chance to look. The win was converted soon after. 1 nil to Macc. A well done to David who has stopped drawing and has now won 3 league games on the spin. Dave M was next to finish playing a dangerous opponent with a couple of decent scalps already under his belt from the Manchester Summer League. Dave wins what looked like a ferocious battle 2 nil. Next to finish was Pete. I managed a few sneaky sideways looks on this one. Pete seemed to have a slight advantage from the opening (then again what do I know) but when the queens came off it looked very level and a draw was agreed at around 9.30 pm 2.5:0.5. The team now agonisingly close to that win. Unfortunately Marc had, somewhat surprisingly, dropped a pawn in his favourite Scandinavian Opening and jettisoned 2 more as he fought desperately but ultimately unsuccessfully to save his game. 2.5:1.5. 10pm and what drama, what theatre. Man with the Hat not for the first time and almost certainly not for the last was frantically defending a counter attack having over egged his own attack. Then with the mob circling round the board, one final twist. It became apparent that my opponent did not understand how and when the 10 seconds were being added. With his clock smashing below 5 seconds and hurtling towards zero, I made my opponent a draw offer that he really couldn`t refuse.