Not the banner headline that I had hoped for! Macc C started the season with Man with Hat and Marc with a rendition of `the B6 appreciation society` joined by Tony with a confident King’s Gambit. Boards 4 & 5 were much quieter. Marc belted the moves out before accepting Steve K’s draw offer and fleeing into the night like a vampire with only half of his opponent’s blood. Board 2 was pivotal with my former sparring partner Tony enjoying a slice of good fortune. My eyes and ears on the ground suggested that Tony also had a slice of vanilla cake plus a lemon bun from Brassingtons with a cherry on top! When the battle stopped and the smoked cleared there was thunder from the throne and Steve Mac realised that he had thrown away too much material. Tom looked to be equal before dropping a piece and despite throwing his pawns forward to get some counterplay time pressure meant that the draw eluded him and Dave H was able to steer the ship home. 1½ : 1½ and I am making a pigs ear of my game (again). Man with Hat is getting badly beaten by Nick an opponent of similar strength who meted out a beating to MWH last March. When and where will this stop?! It’s a good job that John A came to the rescue on Board 5 using his time advantage to great effect to wear down his opponent Cath S.
Well played to East Cheshire, outgraded by a mean average of just over 10 points and perhaps unlucky not to go away with more than the draw. Mrs Hat would like to point out that one of the Hat Family has opened her account recently and that’s really not helpful