Author: Culcheth Chess Club - Admin

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.

Congratulation’s to Culcheth new recruit, Thomas Quilter after he scored a fine win against Grandmaster Michael Adams.

Adams has been England’s strongest player since the 1990’s and he once challenged for a version of the world title. Adams is still ranked among the World’s strongest players so this was a fine achievement by Tom.

The game took place at the European Blitz championships in Poland.

Commenting on the game Tom explained to me that they played two matches and Adams won the opener in such a smooth fashion that Tom felt in the 2nd game he had to create more complications to stand a chance. Well it certainly looks like he managed it in game 2, creating such a wild position that Adams was unable to find an answer in the time allocated. See a short video clip below for the winning moment!

In our last match before the Christmas interlude we faced a Winwick side who would have been buoyed by their recent victory over St Helens.

Both sides were missing a couple of players but we are perhaps the more fortunate of the two club’s at the moment in terms of squad depth. Therefore whilst losing Tom Quilter and Jonathan Smith for this one was a blow, they were ably deputised for by the returning Marek Mazek and Tom Vout.

The first result of the evening was my own (Damian) for the second week in a row I was facing a familiar foe, this time in the form of Dave Stuttard.

Dave gave me a few things to think about in the opening as he seemed as ever determined to play the opening in gambit style. Soon in the early middlegame however a tactical oversight occurred which gave me the win 0-1.

Stuttard V McCarthy (big board)

Soon after this Tom converted his position against Mike Fleming, from a Philador’s opening Tom as white always looked to be in control. Winning a pawn early on he then went on to trap his opponents Knight and win another 2 pawns, finally Tom returned the knight to reach an overwhelming pawn ending so Mike resigned. 0-2

Vout V Fleming big board link

Ilya was playing Arpad Busznyak who seems to be a new player for Winwick. I recognised Ilya’s opponent from my Padgate chess club days as he used to sometimes drop in for a game. Ilya on this occasion proved too strong for his opponent, demonstrating good understanding of the advanced Caro Kann, Ilya continued probing on the queenside until eventually a pawn fell and soon after the entire queenside collapsed for White. 0-3

Arpad V Ilya (Big Board link)

With Ilya’s result the match was secure however the night was rounded off in fine fashion as Marek’s opponent’s flag fell in a lost position. Marek had his opponent under pressure for the whole of this game in his favourite exchange variation V the Queen’s Gambit Declined as White. 0-4

Marek V Simeon (Big board link)

Robert’s opponent Ken Johnson seemed to be putting up the most resistance out of all of the opposition. Rob looked to have won a pawn early on but there were still complications. Ken must have gone wrong however (I actually missed the finish) as suddenly that game was over and the scoreline was 0-5.

Well played to all of you, we are league leaders at Christmas! It has been a while since we could say that! Atherton however have two games in hand and could close the gap to one point behind us if they win both of those games…