And we’re off!
After months of fevered excitement, of stomach-churning adrenalin rushes, of dreams of glory, of verses of `this is my quest, to follow that star`, Macc C’s season finally gets underway with the visit of Marple. It’s not bonfire night until a week on Sunday and the majority of players took heed with the notable exception of Marc whose very own firework display on Board 6 illuminated the Macclesfield skyline. On the opposite side of the room (Board 1) an equalising point from Paul over PhilCo. I didn’t see exactly what happened as Denzil was taking me through `an idiots guide to setting Digital clocks`. It looked like PhilCo was trying to build a mating net to compensate for being a piece down. It didn’t quite work and the extra move taken by PhilCo in time pressure forgot about the mate that he himself was facing.
Sandwiched in between were 4 draws, Board 5 and John playing his debut game for Macclesfield takes a good ½ from the hugely experienced Mr Doust. Board 4 and our Tony agrees an equally cagey draw with Martin C. Man with the Hat gets spooked by Tony Kays active Queen and takes off the ladies at the cost of undoubling his opponents pawns and with it any hope of winning the game. Board 2 decider and this one went down to the wire. Marple’s Alan is up a Rook and 2 pawns against a Rook and 1. Never easy with the pawns close together and Joachim holds out for the draw.
4 Draws in a 3-3 match draw. It is what it is! exclaims Mr Hat profoundly. Mrs Hat refuses to be drawn and limits herself to a slow shaking of the head. The chess season has indeed begun.