Magnificent Macc

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.

Cup of Woe

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.

Table Toppers Toppled

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.