Double Semi-Final Success Sees Macclesfield Through To Two Cup Finals

Macclesfield enjoyed a tremendous fortnight of cup success, winning semi-finals in both the SDCL Charnley Cup and the Geoff Laurence Trophy (U1850) to book their places in two finals.

Charnley Cup Semi-Final

Macclesfield A pulled off a shock victory in the SDCL Charnley Cup on 20th January, winning 4-2 away in their semi-final against Stockport and booking their place in the final against Eccles on 14th April. The match got off to a promising start, with wins for both Colin Gibson (1931) on board 2 against Joshua Pink (2053), and J-P Taylor (1834) on board 3 against Gareth Griffiths (1821). However prospects on the remaining four boards did not look too hopeful with difficult positions all round.

Ant Brough (1736) on board 5 succumbed to Andy Coe (1815) following an ambitious piece sacrifice, but Chris Riley (2098) managed to salvage an unlikely half point on board 1 despite at his own admission being dead lost from move 11 when his opponent Sarah Longson (2028), possibly fearing Chris's counterplay in time trouble, agreed to a draw! Now with the score at 2.5-1.5 and with lower-board elimination being used as a tie-breaker in the event of a 3-3 draw, this left Macclesfield just needing a draw from either of the remaining two games - although with Joachim Trier (1737) on board 6 down a piece and Phil Cattermole (1793) on board 4 under tremendous pressure this looked far from certain!

Joachim was the first to finish, generating sufficient counterplay with his two passed pawns that his opponent Jeff Mason (1732) had to settle for a draw despite the extra piece advantage. With Macclesfield's place in the final now secure, all eyes turned to the remaining game on board 4 where both players were playing out a tricky rook and pawn ending on increment. Under tremendous time pressure, Phil's opponent Andy Stoker (1908) missed a mate threat and Phil pounced to complete an extraordinary comeback, and finish the match with a final score of 4-2 to Macclesfield!

The full result saw Sarah Longson draw with Chris Riley on board 1, Colin Gibson defeat Joshua Pink on board 2, J-P Taylor beat Gareth Griffiths on board 3, Phil Cattermole overcome Andy Stoker on board 4, Ant Brough fall to Andy Coe on board 5, and Joachim Trier hold Jeff Mason to a draw on board 6.

Geoff Laurence Trophy Semi-Final

Just two weeks later on 3rd February, Macclesfield B secured another cup final berth with a 3-2 away victory over Stockport in the semi-final of the Geoff Laurence Trophy (U1850). In a curious twist of fate, Joachim Trier found himself facing Jeff Mason on board 1 once again, though this time the result went the other way with Mason claiming victory. Denzil Lobo also suffered defeat on board 4 against Phil Clare, but victories for Ant Brough over Anthony Prime, Connor Greenwood against Mohammed Rohmann, and Tom Moitié defeating John Kelly were enough to see Macclesfield through.

Other Recent Results

Macclesfield continued their strong form in the North Staffordshire & District Chess Association Division 1 on 2nd February, defeating Northwich 3½-½ at home. Chris Riley, Colin Gibson and Phil Cattermole all secured victories, with Northwich unfortunate to lose on time on boards 1 and 4. Ant Brough fought his way to a hard-earned draw with a white-squared bishop endgame despite being a pawn down against Peter Hamill-Stewart.

The Macclesfield A team faced stiffer opposition in the Stockport & District Chess League Division 1. On 27th January they went down 4-2 away at Chorlton, with Chris Riley, J-P Taylor, Phil Cattermole and Joachim Trier all drawing their games whilst Colin Gibson and Ant Brough suffered defeats. Earlier in the month on 12th January, Macclesfield A bounced back with a 4-2 home victory over East Cheshire A. Despite losses on the top two boards for Chris Riley and J-P Taylor, Phil Cattermole, Ant Brough, Joachim Trier and Connor Greenwood all won to secure the match.

Competition Standings

The race for honours in the Stockport & District Chess League Division 1 is heating up, with just one point separating the top three teams - Stockport, Eccles and Macclesfield A - and just under half the games left to play. It promises to be a thrilling finish to the season.

Meanwhile Macclesfield B find themselves in mid-table in Division 3, with Stockport B and Altrincham B soaring ahead at the top.

In the North Staffordshire & District Chess Association Division 1, Macclesfield hold the lead, but with Alsager and Holmes Chapel just two games back and more than half the fixtures left to play, there is all to play for.

Internal Competition Update

The Club Championship race is going down to the wire with Chris Riley and J-P Taylor level on points at the top. Chris holds a crucial game in hand and still has to play Colin Gibson and Jason Rice, whilst J-P has only Jason remaining.

In the Pomeroy Cup, Tom Moitié holds a half-point lead after Jake Darlington defeated Connor Greenwood. With only one game left to play for each of the top three, it's Tom's to lose!

The club continues to meet every Monday at 7:30pm at The Queen's Hotel on Albert Place, and new members are always welcome.