report written by Nick:
The Mighty Bees suffered a slightly unlucky reverse in their first league match of 2023. We were without the services of Keith Maudsley, who was ill, and he was sorely missed – not least because we had to default on Board 2. The first game to finish was my Board 4 encounter which ended peacefully after just 24 moves. I could, indeed should, have played on in a slightly advantageous position but was unable to formulate a winning strategy so a draw it was.
On Board 5 Alex Robinson produced the performance of the evening with a terrific win against an opponent graded 130 points higher than mine on Board 4 – a questionable Board order selection by Northwich, and not for the first time this season. Alex reached a middlegame where he had 3 pawns for a minor piece and proceeded to steamroll his central pawn mass through Black’s defences in very impressive style to promote one of them, prompting his opponent’s resignation.
Andy Coe seemed to be in good shape on Board 3 steadily building a potential Kingside attack, but a couple of oversights cost him the exchange and then a whole rook with no compensation.
The last game to finish was Tom Vout’s on Board 1 which had distilled down to an endgame where both sides had their rooks and 7 pawns in a locked position. Tom had pressure against Black’s isolated a-pawn, but he ceded his opponent a protected passed e-pawn which was eventually to prove his undoing. His opponent manoeuvred skillfully against Tom’s weak pawns on c3 and g3 and was able to use his King as an attacking piece whereas Tom’s King was reduced to passive defensive duties. Black was able to break through in the centre and Tom had to concede defeat in a very close and hard-fought game.
3.5-1.5 to Northwich.
