In its short yet storied history Atticus 1 has had some fine captains. Yet none I believe has hitherto offered board 3 to a bloke he first met in the pub last Thursday. Fortunately Jac Thomas is a former Welsh junior international, but how would he fare on a cold November night in Wallasey? Adequately it transpired, as he got us off to the perfect start with a cool dismantling of Ron Harrison, himself no mug.
When Mike Lacey wrapped up his game against the young up-and-coming Josh Morgan on board 7, it was hard not to spot a pattern. Of all the ways I had anticipated I could motivate this team, it appears the most effective is the threat of a lift home. Having run the gauntlet on the outward journey, Jac and Mike opted it seems to win early and catch the train.
It had in fact been an eventful journey, culminating in our arrival at 7.55pm with the rest of the team already seated and underway. Not necessarily in the right seats, but you cannot have it all. Mike on board 5 was next to finish. His opponent Phil Brine is a tough nut to crack, and Mike had seemingly achieved a solid position with the white pieces, yet at the cost his clock which proved telling as the pressure mounted and Phil secured an edge to halve the deficit.
James Rothwell is having a good season and was unfazed by his promotion to Board 2 in John Redmond’s absence with an ACL (Academic Commitment to Literature). A tense struggle against Mike Coffey finished with the spoils shared, retaining our slim advantage.
My own game looked like it could go either way and matters were not helped by the fact that I kept bumping into my opponent while having a smoke break. Thankfully Caissa offered temporary respite and granted me a draw.
Dave on board one had nursed an advantage for much of the game against Phil Davies, yet upon asking to see the match score, concluded (with a captain’s blessing!) that the draw was expedient.
And so it all came down to Ben…
If Smyslov was “The Hand”, I propose Ben should henceforward be known as “The Index Finger” – and as a dozen pairs of eyes bore down, appeared to be the calmest person in the room as he navigated his way to king versus king and thus sealed the match in our favour.
Thanks to Wallasey Chess Club for their hospitality and we will see you again a week on Monday at the Cross Keys against the other team from Liverpool, the one that does not win every match 6-1.