As this was our first match of the season, I would like to thank Jim for his excellent leadership of this team over a number of seasons. I am sure Atticus 4 will have a successful season under tenure.
The cross city rivalry with the excellent Liverpool Chess Club was a good test of where we are right now. Even without two of their listed player, they were able to field a foreboding line-up, but I have quiet confidence in this team.
Liverpool 2 | 141 | 3.5 : 2.5 | Atticus 3 | 131 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Mana, Sameen |
161 |
0.5-0.5 |
Lambert, John F |
145 |
2 |
Hawkins, James N |
154 |
1-0 |
Ellington, Ben |
131 |
3 |
Clarke, Michael |
154 |
0.5-0.5 |
Blasczyk, Martin |
132 |
4 |
Leeming, Dave W |
142 |
0-1 |
Banerjee, Sanjoy K |
129 |
5 |
Mellor, Peter |
115 |
1-0 |
Wentworth, Chris |
128 |
6 |
Robinson, Sean |
117 |
0.5-0.5 |
Burge, Steve J |
121 |
John Lambert was first to finish, achieving a fighting draw on top board. My game was concluded shortly after as misadventure got the better of the usually very solid Dave Leeming. Martin then added to our tally, doing very well to save a rook and pawn endgame with 3 v 3 on the kingside and a passed a-pawn, but with the rook in front instead of behind.
At that stage, we looked on course for a famous win, but then the tide began to turn. Chris king succumbed to heavy crossfire, and Steve found himself short of time and unable to convert a promising position. And finally, Ben came up short against Nick Hawkins in an evenly fought KID.
So we came up a tantalising half a point short, yet I was proud of the team for what was in truth a fighting and credible debut.