'A' Team Results.
Chesterfield - Nomads A (Sheffield League)
Mike Alcock- Chris Shephard was one of two repeat fixtures from last week. This looked a very balanced, well played game, all the way to the drawn ending. By contrast, board three was chaos: Paul Cumbers stood in for Kieran O'Driscoll and basically played me off the board until I managed to create complications. Fritz gives its opinion that what followed was a horrible swindle of a fine and honourable player.
So level at the top, and the teams were neck and neck lower down too. Martin Howard won a couple of pawns and came through early on. Level again: as Chesterfield tried to reverse our loss in the Cup, Mohammad Said did it the other way, avenging last week's defeat by Steve Housley. And on board six I thought Andy Mort had the initiative against Geoff Frost, but the win wasn't there... 3 - 3 and so to the last two: Johnson-Hamm and Bracey-Khakimova. In the latter, Steve bravely sacced a pawn and didn't find a winning line. Masrura defended solidly for most of the evening, and Steve says she was winning when a mistake finally gave him the game. Meanwhile, the umpteenth game between Mike and Jeremy also went our way, Jeremy conceding after a long bishop endgame.
So 5-3 ...and to conclude, the victory fell on us. It's been a long wait for a win against Nomads...cheers to Jason Patrick who stood me a beer. We've all earned one.
Nomads A - Chesterfield (Richardson Cup)
These three wins gave Nomads the match on board count, if it came to that...and it wasn't a million miles away. Steve Housley scored with Black against Mohammad Said, a fine result against a man who won their last encounter; I didn't see too much of this, but what I saw was active defence in a queenless late middle game. Martin successfully defended the last ditch against Nomads' latest recruit Geoff Frost - there was a pawn one square from promotion, pieces swarming around it like rugby players trying to force their man over the line. Geoff had rightly sacced a piece for this, but still hadn't found a killer move when his flag fell. Martin did really well, especially not to go for any of the desperate counterattacks I'd been willing him to try. And board two was a clash to whet the appetite - Mike Alcock v Chris Shephard. There was a long endgame, Q, B + pawns v Q, N + pawns. Mike turned down a draw and is clear that, as things stood, this was the right decision; but, as he says, you can only admire Chris's strength in this kind of position. 4 - 2 to Nomads, and we now have lots of options for rearranged matches in Derbyshire.
Jeremy Hamm - google Sheffield chess and you'll soon find him through the Sheffield website or the Nomads club website - is still looking for players for the Woodhouse Cup team. Very good chess, on Saturdays. For this team you probably need to have 150 strength or above, and any such players from Chesterfield or any other club reading this, are more than welcome.
Chesterfield - Ecclesall
Andy Mort showed how a skipper settles his side: a smooth Catalan, correctly played and a quick win. Steve Bracey's game was an early draw. David Adams had come half expecting Hubert, whom he beat twice last season, like, how do you do that? The ironies of chess: Hubert wasn't here, and we were reduced to fielding some patzer in his place. David soon put together an opening advantage, and in the post mortem I was shocked to see how far his plans for the attack were advanced; but he'd written off my counterattack, which I'll be showing off for the next year regardless of whether you want to see it. It's a bit of an 18-certificate gore fest, but obviously I gotta take pride in anything achieved against an opponent of this stature.
2.5-0.5, and I must admit that after my unexpected win I thought the Ecclesall players might fold like the Philistines after that unfortunate accident to Goliath. Not a bit of it: they fought to the end, with Andy Mort and myself muttering the while about what a tough match it was. On board two Mike Alcock had won a piece in the opening, and never looked like conceding the draw, but Joe Morrison somehow managed a win against Emma, who held a sound structure for a long time against this wily and experienced campaigner. Pete Hoare followed this up with a win against George. 3.5-2.5; so to Steve Housley's board, where he had a good looking position - two pieces v rook and pawns. Phil Ellis struck back, and I didn't see a way out of the nasty pin and threat to transfer to a won pawn ending. Mike Johnson's game with Ken Norbury was looking a dead draw, and I must admit I thought he'd have to find a win here if we were to get to 4.5. But when I looked back to Steve, he'd found a line where he conceded the exchange for an unstoppable passed pawn; and at the very last Mike Johnson also came through, his knight proving superior to Ken's bishop in the ending. 5.5-2.5.
Chesterfield - Aughton (Richardson Cup)
Chesterfield - Worksop 2009/10
And a stumble at the first hurdle. Worksop brought a strong side headed by Jon Tait and Jim Burnett. I did my best v Jon, but got outclassed tactically. Mike Alcock's got a very decent record against Jim, and was in it for longer than me, but it wasn't his night either. Worksop's other wins were on 7 & 8: they had very decent strength in depth and came out on top against George and Carlos. Chesterfield struck back in the middle order: Steve Housley and Martin Howard had very sound looking wins. Mike Johnson's was anything but: normally Mike gets into frightful time trouble and copes well with it: this time both players had seconds left, and Mike was hanging on by his fingernails when Jim Davis' flag fell. They all count, and it gave us a sniff of a draw. The last was Oliver Graham (Worksop) v our new skipper Andy Mort. Deep into the ending it was dead level, I thought, but in an exciting finish first Oliver, then Andy, went for the win. It ended with just the kings on the board. Jim Burnett commented that he thought this made it 17-3 in our favour for matches he'd played against Chesterfield. If so, we must have just come through in a lot of close finishes...and here's one the other way.
Ecclesall - Chesterfield 2008/2009
Our season in Sheffield's been a long time starting, but it opened with a terrific match. In board order:
Board one had the makings of a classic. Hubert looked good against David Adams, two pieces v a rook and the odd pawn; he tells me he then left a piece en prise. I thought I was doing OK v Pete Hempson, then made a slip and woke up in the infirmary. Mike Alcock led the fightback, won an exchange and R v N ending against Gordon Stables; two games, two fine victories in his comeback. Johnson- Szalapaj was a hard fought draw; Mike was pressing, Pete held him off, Hubert showed a lovely winning attack afterwards but was it forced? Steve Housley had Q,B v Q and a lot of pawns v Chris Marley; I thought the win showed fighting spirit against a tough opponent. Martin Howard played Ken McKintosh and got a passed, supported pawn on a6 early on, strategic win and it looked very good. The last two games both went to the wire; Alan McKintosh-George Peters a very tough draw; Phil Ellis survived his own time trouble, then levelled the match when Emma Bentley's flag fell at the end of a game which Phil said had always been about equal. With this fine game and Emma's win v Phil Griffiths of Worksop B we finally have an answer to the question of who to play when George is on seven, and presumably will one day have the answer as to who plays when we can't get Hubert. 4-4, thanks to the Ecclesall crowd for their excellent chess and still more their company on a great evening. Apologies to Dr Hempson who stood me a drink; thanks for that, the disappearing act was because one of the team needed an early start for Alton Towers next day, and another to bounce hard cases in darkest Doncaster.
Chesterfield - Sheffield Nomads
This certainly turned out the memorable hard fought match I'd hoped for - the result was another matter. Early on things looked good...Steve Bracey won quickly with a sac he reassures us was totally unsound, and after an hour or so most of the boards looked OK or better. This should be one of the first Sheffield League matches with not only competitive games, but also competitive blogs, so you can check out Kieran O'Driscoll''s view on the Nomads website. Here's my own totally unbiased account:
Hubert had a very exciting attack against Jon Nelson, but the win wasn't evident either at the time or, as far as I saw, in the high-powered post mortem they conducted. When the attack evaporated, Jon was up an exchange and game over. Maybe Fritz can find the winner in that game: the silicon had interesting comments on board two. Kieran had a very decent plus throughout the opening, but then I struck back with rat-like cunning and briefly held the advantage (says Herr Fritz). In his place I'd probably have assumed Fate had turned against me, but Kieran played the brave moves at the vital points, and won convincingly. Mike Alcock seemed to have a small advantage in the ending; not enough to win but a sight better than the rest of us have done against Paul Cumbers in recent years; Mike's fine comeback is well on track. Andy Mort seems unstoppable: 100% over 6 games I think, and all of them with Black. Steve Housley was suddenly a rook up against Jeremy, but somehow the Sheffield captain clawed it back, a terrific save by him. Martin started in great style, saccing a pawn to prevent Mursal castling; sadly he saw the winning follow up, but also a ghost and didn't play it! This was not only a half point, but a minor masterpiece that got away - the pity was that a lesser player would have gone for that incisive e4! by not spotting the drawback that wasn't! I didn't see Chris Shephard- Mike Johnson, but gather it went the way of most of my own efforts against Chris. No need for the various apologies folks - it was a great contest. Looked very promising at one stage, but ended 3.5-4.5, and as Dick Dastardly would put it, "drat, drat and triple drat!"
Chesterfield - Sheffield University
Steve Bracey had mentioned the possibility of the University as opponents when making his pitch to the landlord. Alas for us, they came to play chess rather than boost the pub's profits. Mike Alcock's ranked higher than me in Derbyshire, lower in Sheffield so that's the board order: he continues to show that it's Sheffield who got it wrong. A good win against Mithun Chakravorty, while I got outplayed by Prasun and failed to put it right by sacrificing. Wins were swapped further down, as Mike Johnson went down to Youra Taroyan and Andy Mort - does anything stop this man? - came through yet again, this time against the University captain Mark Atherton. I believe that's now 9/9 in competitive fixtures, with Jeremy Hamm/Bobby Fischer 11/11 the only logical target. Suzy Blackburn won a pawn against Steve Housley and the ending without giving our man much chance - best of luck to her as she represents Wales at the Olympiad; and all rested on top board, since 3-3 meant we'd squeak through on board count. I was drowning my sorrows at the vital moment, but Hubert tells me Jonathan was in time trouble and he offered a draw rather than try to win on the clock. Overall, this result was fair, particularly since the University had lost their venue and switched to ours, thus ensuring we'd have Mike Alcock and ending any chance of their having IM Simon Buckley. Looks like we used up our Richardson Cup luck last season folks.
Phoenix - Chesterfield
At the fourth attempt the season revved up with a 6-2 win at Phoenix, particularly welcome after the previous two narrow defeats. For once it was the top end who scored the points, after three draws on the lower boards. Howard - Mercy looked long and hard fought; Bracey - Ai got to an exciting opening position and was agreed drawn; and Andrew Birtwistle achieved the impossible, the first player this season to dent Andy Mort's 100% score. Still a magnificent opening to the season for our man. At the top, I finally scored a win after a difficult ending in which we think Carl missed a couple of draws. Paul Fletcher looked even closer against Hubert: the post mortem was about a possible win for him, but Hubert came through clearly enough at the end. Steve Housley won, just as at Ecclesall, with Q, B v Q and more pawns; played with real fighting spirit. Mike Johnson - Tristam Cole looked exciting, White's extra piece but Black's extra pawns in a strong chain, was there a way through? Well, to cut the tension, yes there was; and Mike Alcock won his ending and hunted down all Gerry's pieces except the King, which was fleeing Mike's Q & N when - the flag fell. I'd be home kicking the dog, but Mike's a nicer chap and his dog Jake looks too tough to kick, so the evening ended with an honourable draw.
Chesterfield - Woodseats
I never hear anyone debate who's the League's top player. It's like debating who's the Queen of England, too simple for a good row. We duly scraped the Ramsden set together for IM Andrew Ledger, board one for Woodseats and Sheffield, the one indispensible member of the Woodhouse Cup winning team; 100% record against Chesterfield - that win by Mike Alcock being in a county match. Tonight we provided decent opposition in the shape of Hubert, and the game was less one-sided than most of the rest. Still, winning against Woodseats normally means getting 4.5 on the bottom 7, and so it proved again. The cause wasn't helped by the strong backing Ledger got from his side's middle order: 2/3 by Carpino, Trafford and Joyce against Alcock, Johnson and Housley, a formidable trio who well outgraded them. Pick of the games from our side was probably Mike Alcock, who had a beautifully placed knight on d4 and a decent bind on the position: not quite enough to win against active defence from Nigel. Three wins needed, and I wasn't volunteering: I was just glad to get out with a whole hide, after surviving a typically scary attack from Alan Potts. He very kindly congratulated me on a cool defence, and I thought half a point with Black against such a fine attacking player was pretty cool too. The wins came on the bottom three: very nice to see Bill Ward at the club, looking ever more back to good health. He looked tough to break down, but this is the Year of Andy Mort, and again our top scorer managed it. Steve Bracey rose to our grunting noises about last week's GM draw, with an excellent aggressive performance. All rested on the last game to finish; I was hiding behind a sofa in the bar, but braver souls tell me Martin won it for us after a last gasp scare. Well done folks.
Chesterfield - Rotherham Juniors
First to finish was Steve Housley, so quick with Black that I can't describe the game. Veni, vidi, vici - right on, Jules. George Peters alternated with Steve Bracey on 8, and this I did see: sound development, overwhelming attack, strong passed pawn backed up by an array of tanks. We haven't seen Chris Wing much lately: nice to have him back, taking on Hubert in a variety of languages, then Martin OTB. Martin went for a Nimzowitsch defence, but the finish looked a bit King's Indian: locked centre, irresistible pressure down the g & h files. So 3-0 to us, and I owe the guys my own win: given the match situation Paul had to turn down my draw offer and try a risky attack rather than allow perpetual. Getting over the line to 4.5 took a while longer, without being much in doubt. There was strong resistance from the other Rotherham people: the young guns Xi Yang Guo and Tom Whitaker both had the advantage against Alcock and Johnson, which Tom converted. Mike Alcock held off Yang in a R&2 v R&3, looked hard to me but our man had the technique, unlike Kasparov in a similar position v Piket. Alan Coupe likewise looked up against it v Andy Mort, but he found the draw. So to top board, which looked tremendously difficult: Hubert's perfectly placed pieces, Peter's extra pawn but damaged structure. Hubert showed us a possible win afterwards: in the game itself White stood up well and the opposite coloured bishops are an old story. So 5.5-2.5 and we're emerging from the pack and sneaking up behind Nomads.
Chesterfield - Ecclesall
Both sides were just a little short of full strength: we were missing Mike Alcock and didn't have a board 8. Brian Crofts subbed, was already behind on time, gave it a good shot against Phil Ellis, but Phil won a long ending. Ecclesall were missing Dr Hempson, who'd made such a mess of our poor board 2 in the first match. This time I was up against Gordon Stables. I thought I'd try the attack Alan Potts had wheeled out against me, and mugged it up on the internet. Can't think why it didn't work as well for me as it had for Potts: I was struggling all game for the half point. 0.5-2.5 as Adams (David, might as well be Mickey) won again against Hubert. In the post mortem Mossong and Stables found why Black should have won, and just as soon as they allow appeals based on what should have happened we'll be in there. The match was equalised, as at their place, by Steve Housley and Martin; George, Mike J and Andy all scored draws. The truth is Gordon gave me such a contest I didn't have time for more than a glance at my surroundings: I'll add details of heroic defence and hair-breadth 'scapes in th'imminent deadly breach just as soon as anyone buttonholes me! 4-4.
Worksop - Chesterfield
Worksop had recruited not only Jon Tait, as before when in the top division, but also Jim Burnett, great to see the League didn't lose him with Barnby Dun. With Jim Davis on 3 a terrific contest was in prospect. Tait - Mossong was a draw, beyond my ability to comment; late middle game. I pride myself that Jim Burnett didn't get bored: ours was, I think, the last to finish and he still needed to show his exceptional endgame skill. This equalised the top three, as Mike Johnson had scored a fine point against Jim Davis: there seemed considerable pressure when Jim played a move he'd been telling himself not to! Level at the top, and the lower end scored very heavily. Three wins for Andy Mort, Martin Howard and George Peters, with Phil Beckett the lone draw for his side v Steve Bracey. The match ended 5-3, Steve Housley having scored so many points for us and now, in yet another promising position, leaving a queen en prise. If only my own goofs had been at such non-vital moments.
Nomads - Chesterfield
This match had almost everything you look for in chess. A great venue, a hard, sporting contest against a team who include a lot of really nice guys. Memorable games. "Almost" I say because there's also that teeny detail of The Result, and here it turned out that you can't have everything...The teams swapped wins earlyish, Andy going down to a kingside attack from Jeremy; looked like this had to succeed because of our man's Queenside pressure if it didn't; it did, sadly for us, and might appear in the Sheffield Captain's Selected Games from all good book shops. Steve Bracey appalled conservatives by wheeling out the Albin Counter Gambit for such an important match- and this was against Haidar Nomeq! But he was rewarded with a good win and a well deserved pint. 1 each. Years back I was down to play Chris Shephard and asked Mike Johnson to tell me the guy's weak spots. "He's tough" said Mike. This wasn't encouraging so I asked Mike to elaborate. "He's very tough". None too helpful, but at least I found it accurate and it still holds good...Johnson-Shephard went all the way to a drawn pawn ending and it looked, well, tough: Mike can be proud of it. Cumbers-Alcock was thrilling, chaotic, Mike's King in the open, Paul's under attack - was Paul ahead? Mike later commented that he had more resources than he thought he had; I wondered if he might steal it, but the draw was fair. Latham-O'Driscoll was another barnstormer, a Najdorf with both sides going for the kill until the late endgame. Here my king march to h5 nearly settled it, but Kieran found the answers and I was glad of the perpetual. And all this excitement before we even get to top board...Jon Nelson, voted the man we'd pay to see by one departing carload of Chesterfield players, takes on Hubert Mossong - if Joe Public knew what chess was about they'd be queueing round the block. Hubert's compensation for a piece was some pawns and Jon's open King position. With fine coordination Jon's rooks and minor pieces held off numerous attacking options and then started to move forward. R, B + 2 v R and 4 looked to most of us a win for White, but Hubert never subscribed to his teammates' anxiety and made it to R+ B v R + 1 where a draw was agreed. So level, and the fateful last two: George Peters held on manfully into a long rook ending against a higher rated opponent, but Andy's sounder pawn structure carried the day; and Said-Housley, where Steve could be backed for a sure win, said the optimists half way through. Lucky there was no bookie on site! Both sides went for it, it was a game fully worthy of this splendid match, and with a queen on h4 and solid pawn on g3 bearing down on White's castled king, I saw where the optimists were coming from. But Mohammad won it for his side with a spectacular combinational attack, which was the subject of his whizz-bang coffee house post mortem until they booted us out. As Sitting Bull commented after the Little Big Horn, " a great battle, there were no cowards on either side".
See NEWS for the next match: Hubert, Mike and Dave teamed up with four of our Nomads buddies and IM Andrew Ledger of Woodseats, and this all-star combo made up the Sheffield team which won narrowly at York, our main rivals in the Woodhouse Cup for the last few seasons.
Chesterfield - Phoenix.
Three wins and five draws for 5.5-2.5, and the evening began as pleasantly as it continued, people from both sides well pleased by the Sheffield team - to which we've both contributed players - winning at York. The wins came on 2 4 and 8: I sacced a piece v Carl and after the game it looked like it might even have been sound ("Tal wouldn't even think that was a sac" said Bracey, but it was scary enough for me); Mike Johnson-Raymond Gosden looked bold and double edged, with Mike getting his retaliation in just ahead; George Peters looked to be winning, then unstuck, then back on top and then possibly no way through against Taher Aryan, and I'd still like to know how he finally managed it. The five draws were very different in character: Cole-Housley the surest - symmetrical early on, no mistakes on either side. Wildly different was Andy Mort's: I looked to see he'd won two pawns and Black's king was out in the open. I thought that looked good value for a sacrificed piece, but on counting - there hadn't been a sac! he was playing brilliantly and totally winning. And so it continued long into the ending...what does it take to finish off Zahir Aryan? Credit to him, he was even in with a chance of a win on time when he did the sporting thing and agreed a draw. Steve Bracey said this was a fair exchange for his own game v John Mercy, possibly lost when a draw was agreed deep in the ending. And so to 3, where R+ 6 v R + 5 looked good for Mike Alcock v Gerry Fletcher, Mike saying ruefully that he "finally found a draw", and on top board Paul v Hubert was played to a dead stop: looked a game for the connoisseur, all the way through a correct pattern.
Woodseats - Chesterfield
The reverse fixture had been tough and close; this time, Woodseats were missing quite a few star players, some unavailable, some stuck in a huge traffic jam. Andrew Ledger did make it and his game with Hubert was the star attraction; Hubert tried one of Andrew's own defences against him. I recall Latham-Ledger and my visions of a huge central build-up slowly crushing Black's position. Well, yeah, that can happen and Andrew showed us how: Hubert put up gallant resistance but the defensive line failed to hold. Many thanks to Hubert for his play and his fellowship as he now takes an extended trip back home. We won almost all the rest: George and Steve Bracey coming through in the endgame, well done guys for continuing to plug away there; Martin and I by attack in the late middle. His looked particularly elegant and economical, mine was a sac at the end of a long grind. Steve Housley attacked like a pitbull in a queenless middlegame, rooks and bishops swooping on the uncastled White king, but Stuart Jones fought on and Steve's eventual exchange advantage was just enough to win. John Trafford took the only other half point for his side, the game with Mike Johnson a solid draw; and with Nigel Carpino not making the match there was a late substitution. I regret I can't read my own writing, because Martin X was well worth a tribute for his fighting show against Mike Alcock, the game being decided by complicated combinational play which had some of us wondering who was actually winning. 6.5-1.5; obviously very pleasing against our old rivals, but one day we've got to dent Andrew Ledger's 100% record or die trying. Bill Ward made a particularly friendly welcoming speech and I'm more than happy to return his sentiments.
Chesterfield - University
Three wins and two draws each, for a 4-4 in this top of the table showdown. The result should please Nomads as much as either of the competing teams, but not to take anything away from a grand evening.
University were missing Suzy Blackburn and their captain Mark Atherton; for us the missing man was Hubert and we could have done with him to take on Simon Buckley. I did my best and had a decent position half way through, which I duly mishandled; Simon joined me in time trouble while looking for the smoothest way to finish me off, and I was still throwing cheapos to the last, but it was always his game. Mike Alcock played a brave and promising pawn sac against Jonathan Arnott, but it was Jonathan who landed the haymaker in the ensuing complications. So we were up against it, and this after Steve Bracey's Albin had come through yet again in the first game to finish. The rest of the team pulled us through, with particular credit to Steve Housley and Mike Johnson, batting even against Mithun & Prasun Chakravorty, both of whom are well over 180 these days. Andy Mort was also conceding a few grading points to Youra Taroyan, but the finish was quite superb, an exchange sac for a mating net with limited material: well worth a puzzle diagram, and the vital point to save the match. Martin Howard looked like joining him; well ahead, declined Azmiddin's draw offer, and still a good pawn up when,,,the flag fell! Four each thanks to George winning on 8; the traditional 3/4 for our bottom end. The return fixture might still decide this league. Again, a very friendly match with the student stand-in captain Mithun commenting that we'd always shown great hospitality, a compliment more than worth a match point.
Rotherham Juniors - Chesterfield
...and the season's first catastrophe, as we went down 2.5-5.5. Andy Mort won a piece early on and the game soon after, but he and Martin Howard, who also won in good style, played something of a lone hand. Steve Bracey sacced two pieces for a perpetual check; I've still to ask him if that position left on the board, with the mate in three, was from the game or from analysis. That was our 2.5 and those points were up on the scoreboard early on...after that it ebbed away. Yang Guo played two for them, a promotion well deserved on tonight's showing; he understood the middle game position far better than I did, and attempts at complication got nowhere. I thought Steve Housley was doing rather better, and wondered if he was winning a vital pawn, but the attack backfired; Mike Johnson put up a long and valiant battle against Paul Blackman on three, but Paul always had enough following a Tal-like unsound sac which Mike didn't accept. George Peters has scored a lot of points lately, but tonight wasn't his night either...and so to top board, where I thought Hubert had a slight edge in a Queen ending. He said afterwards that he thought he had to push for a win to draw the match, which was gone anyway; and as often happens, pushing for a win led to defeat, a fine score by Peter Shaw. Overall, a match for us to forget, and congrats to the Rotherham Juniors team.
Chesterfield - Barnsley
This was a close and exciting 4-4 draw; Steve Bracey scored early on and another win for Steve Housley had us looking set for victory. Brian looked good value for his draw on 8 against the Barnsley captain John Stevens. Half way through Andy Mort was winning easily, and I fancied myself for a possible breakthrough or at worst a draw...but no. Andy and I both goofed, and we were lucky that he had the draw in hand. I sacced a knight and then a rook and it didn't finish at all like it did when Tal went for broke. I wonder why that could be? Martin Howard and Mike Alcock shared the points with Gary Hinchcliffe and Dave Greensmith, and that left all hanging on Johnson-Sheard, the last game to finish. This too was a might-have-been; Mike looked to have decent chances but got his king agonisingly trapped on h3, with Martin's pieces inexorably closing the trap. So 4-4 and the big question was...are they still serving?
Chesterfield - Worksop
For us, the season ends effectively with three frendlies: we can't win or get relegated, and the main competitive focus is in Derbyshire where we're attempting the cup and league double. There's also the Woodhouse, where our contributors to the Sheffield team look favourites to retain the trophy. The evening began with the trophy making its appearance, and it really is worth a look: historic Victorian silver, by the leading smiths of the time.
Worksop came for a win to stave off relegation, and brought such a fine side you wonder why that was ever an issue. Tait, Burnett, Morrison and Davis as the top half; I think our club did well to give them the contest that ensued. We were short of players and defaulted one, for which I think I need to hold up a hand; Brian Crofts again stepped in at short notice, this time v Janos Wagenbach (on 6!). This was the second game to finish, George and Phill Beckett having called an early end to hostilities, and we were 2.5-0.5 behind. Jim Burnett and Mike Alcock have had some fine battles as you'd expect from their records as county champions; this one had pieces flying all around and ended in a draw. I was sacrificial lamb against Jon Tait on one; probably blew a decent opening position on a speculative sac of knight for numerous pawns and an open king position...sure enough it didn't work. Mike Johnson flew the flag for us with a fine win on 3; he already had a very good position when Ken missed the sneaky tactic that meant the c4 pawn couldn't be taken. Martin Howard defeated Oliver in good style, the ending looked very efficient; and Emma played 8 against Brian Oldham. How did Worksop end up near the bottom when they can field a team with as strong a player as this on bottom board? Still, it was a fine game, with Emma declining Brian's offer to attack unsoundly against his solid position. Instead a well played opening saw her pieces on the back rank and then a skilled counterthrust. A draw was agreed in a position where at the least Emma had no disadvantage, but time was short. So a couple of apologies from me: to our gang because another captain would at least have got a full side out, and to Woodseats and co. who needed a contribution from us to their efforts against the drop. The other Chesterfield players who did turn up can be very proud of their efforts against an excellent set of opponents. 3.5-4.5.
Barnsley - Chesterfield
Barnsley are part of a relegation dogfight; their rivals wanted a strong team out; but it's a long way to go and I'm grateful to those who did turn out for us. Their reward was a thrilling match played in the best spirit, ending in the closest of draws. Andy Mort said his game was "boring", but if so it was the only one, and it looked efficient. Martin Howard played the opening splendidly; won a piece early on; might have given a slight chance in going for a neat win rather than the ending, but scored the point in good style. Dave Dunnett had agreed to play at the last minute, a kindness that deserved a better fate than the sledgehammer attack from Tony Farrell; Steve Housley attacked bravely enough, but Tony Pogson's defence was both solid and active. So 2-1 in wins to them; and in a chaotic game on board one Fritz tells me Andy Drabble had every chance, but I landed the final blow; 2.5-2.5. Three draws followed - but what draws! I thought George had a big space advantage on 7, then realised I was actually watching a very fine strategic game by his opponent Dave Greensmith, exploiting Black square weaknesses in the style of Hubert Mossong. The long-prepared breakthrough against George's king position was slightly misplayed, thanks be, and our man picked up an exchange and the half point...both players can be proud. Mike Johnson - Andy Butterworth was equally hard fought; very little to choose and plenty of play left when the flags teetered and a draw was agreed. And so we gathered round Hunter-Bracey; Steve's last Dragon had been a great win, but Ken proved tougher opposition and it was only in the ending that Steve showed a winning advantage. Another couple of minutes on the clock and I'd have backed him...as it was, the win for one or the other would have been on time and it's anyone's guess whose flag would fall; such a lottery would have been an unworthy end to this fine match, so Ken and Steve agreed the draw. 4-4.
University - Chesterfield
And so the league winds down, with a final "friendly", neither team in danger of relegation or winning the league. We lost 5-3, a feat mainly achieved at the top end. Jonathan Arnott played with real determination and squeezed a win from a very level late middle, with a study like finish. I helped him out with a piece goof. Mike J and Steve H held out much longer against the Chakravorty twins, Mike being the last to go under in a tense position where both had chances. Steve's game looked very hard and he survived on life support against Mithun's attack for ages. So 3-0 to them at the top; Andy Mort gaining us a shred of respectability. He had one of those Slav positions where you sac your King side pawns and swoop down on White's castled king with bishops and queen. Botvinnik loved these, but perhaps didn't sac quite so many pawns. The end might have been a curious legal matter, Azmiddin's flag falling as he stretched out his hand to accept Andy's draw offer, but this was a nice sporting match and the point wasn't considered. And so to Martin, who handled the transition to a rook ending beautifully; missed maybe a couple of short cuts but got there in the end, and Steve B, who went more directly for an attack and the second of our two wins. George's Board 7 was agreed a draw, probably a fair result but still in an exciting chaotic position. The beer here is splendid, and though we lost the match there were, of course, no real sorrows to drown.