Your illustrious B team went top of division 2 on Friday 16th January.
A 3½-1½ victory over a much weakened Priorslee Lions B team meant we hit the New Year running, in our quest for promotion, although the match itself wasn’t as straightforward as it might appear. Priorslee defaulted on bottom board and were missing their three top players, but as the match unfolded, they very nearly pulled off a shock draw.
I gave an object lesson on how NOT to play the King’s Gambit against the inexperienced, but rapidly improving and talented Tommy Gilmour. After he declined the pawn, I then tied myself up in knots completely and Tommy could have won a piece after sacrificing his Knight. I think he was too worried about my non-existent attack and missed the combination, although he did manage to get a dangerous passed Pawn. The game turned after I saw a tactical move of my own and won a piece, the exchange and then the game with too many threats forcing my young opponent to resign. Strange how quickly a game can turn, but all credit to Tommy, he played much better than I thought he would. Another lesson to be learned I think!
Mark then agreed a draw with the ever dangerous George Viszokai after a four Knights opening, in which Mark won a pawn but could make no headway. A 2-point lead then, but the other two boards were looking decidedly dodgy. Ivor eventually overcame Stephen O ‘Dell, after his opponent had some very dangerous looking tactical threats against Ivor’s King, but again the game turned so quickly, when it was Ivor who mated his opponent. On board 2 Norman was the victim of that old chess adage of, “He who takes the Knight’s pawn sleeps in the street,” when, after doing so, found he had two pieces being attacked by Marvin Carbin. Although the match was won, Norman put up a valiant resistance, only to succumb to the inevitable.
Next up is a critical match against Telepost B. Win that and we really can start dreaming! Watch this space!
Ian Davies