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.
Man with the Hat