Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2018-19: Horsham 1 – Worthing 2

Posted on March 23, 2019 by James Mansson

I scored a quick but flawed win in Horsham 1’s big win against Worthing 2 last month. If my opponent had responded correctly to my flawed 16th move, he would have had a won position. However, he responded with his own blundered and resigned following my response. A more sensible 16th move by me would have retained a definite advantage. Indeed, looking at the game, there were several mistakes by both players before then. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The French Defence | Leave a comment

County Match (Open) 2018-19: Sussex – Middlesex

Posted on March 10, 2019 by James Mansson

Back at the start of February, Sussex scored a big win against Middlesex, helped by the fact that Middlesex defaulted five boards. My game should have been a win for me, but I overlooked how good my position would be after a forced sequence of moves; I chose something else that wasn’t as good. When my opponent offered a draw shortly afterwards, I was happy to accept, as my position did not look good. Continue reading →

Posted in County Matches, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Championship 2018-19: Mansson – Roberts

Posted on March 3, 2019 by James Mansson

I have always had tough games against Dix Roberts, and our game in this season’s club championship was no exception. I obtained a decent position out of the opening, but lost control of the position; in the resulting play I was extremely lucky that my opponent failed to make the most of his chances. Indeed, even in the final position he could well have played on; however, but then both players were very short of time, so he decided to bail out. Continue reading →

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Paul Watson Trophy 2018-19: Horsham – Bognor & Arun

Posted on February 16, 2019 by James Mansson

Back towards the end of January, Horsham played Bognor & Arun in the Paul Watson Trophy. Unfortunately, we ended up losing 3-1. My game was against Jaimie Wilson on top board. After getting the better of the opening stages, I missed an opportunity to consolidate my advantage. As we both ran short of time, things turned in my opponent’s favour. Eventually, I exceeded the time limit and so lost on time.

I give the game below with some notes.

Wilson, Jaimie – Mansson, James C, Paul Watson Trophy Horsham – Bognor & Arun 2019.01.22

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Be7 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 Nbd7

This prepares playing …c5 when Black can meet dxc5 with …Nxc5.

7. c5

This is White’s most aggressive approach, preventing …c5 by Black.

7…c6

7… Nh5 is the main alternative.

8. h3

It makes sense to preserve the bishop.

8. Bd3 has also been frequently played by White.

8… b6 9. b4 a5 10. a3 Ne4

10…Ba6 is more common. Then 11. Bxa6 Rxa6 and White has a choice of approaches.

  • 12. b5 cxb5 13. c6 Qc8 14. c7 b4 15. Nb5
  • 12. O-O Qa8 13. Rb1

11. Nxe4 dxe4 12. Nd2

This allows Black to gain strong counterplay with his response.

12. Ne5! Nxe5 13. Bxe5 looks stronger.

12… e5! 13. dxe5 axb4 14. axb4 Rxa1 15. Qxa1 bxc5 16. Nxe4

16. b5

16… cxb4 17. Be2

17. Nd6

17… Nc5 18. Nxc5 Bxc5 19. O-O Be6 20. Rc1 Qb6 21. Qa6 Rc8 22. Bc4 h6 23. Kf1 g5! 24. Bg3 Bxc4+?

Now the game turns in White’s favour.

24… Qxa6! I didn’t consider this because of 25. Bxa6 but 25…Ra8! was the move I missed. Black’s passed b-pawn gives him a winning advantage.

  • 26. Rxc5 Rxa6
  • 26. Bb7 Ra5 27. Bxc6 b3 28. Rb1 Ba3 29. Be4 b2 30. Rd1 Bd5! 31. Bf5 Rc5
  • 26. Bd3 26… Ra5

25. Qxc4 b3 26. e6 b2

26… f6

27. exf7+ Kf8 28. Rb1 Ra8

28… Qb5 29. Qc3

29. Qe6 Ra1 30. Rxa1 bxa1=Q+ 31. Qxa1 Kxf7 32. Kg1

32. Qa2+

32… Be7 33. Qh8

33. Qa2+

33… Qb1+ 34. Kh2 Qg6 35. Be5 Bd6 36. f4 gxf4 37. exf4 Bf8 38. Bc3 Bd6 39. Qd4 Ke7 1-0

Black lost on time.

Posted in Games, Opening Analysis, Paul Watson Trophy, Reports, The Queen’s Gambit Declined | Leave a comment

County Match (Open) 2018-19: Sussex – Kent

Posted on February 3, 2019 by James Mansson

Sussex scored a creditable draw away against Kent on Saturday 19th January. My game in the match was also a draw, against Alan Hanreck with the Black pieces. I obtained a comfortable position out of the opening and may have been able to achieve more, but in the end the position was blocked and the two players split the point. Continue reading →

Posted in County Matches, Opening Analysis, Reports, The English with ...e5 | Leave a comment

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2018-19: Horsham 1 – Eastbourne 1

Posted on January 25, 2019 by James Mansson

Last Friday, Horsham 1, fielding its strongest team, scored a 4.5-0.5 win over Eastbourne 1 down in Eastbourne. My game was in fact the only one that wasn’t decisive, although it was an interesting encounter against a strong opponent. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Ruy Lopez | 1 Comment

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2018-19: Horsham 1 – Brighton 2

Posted on November 29, 2018 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday, Horsham 1 scored a 4.5-0.5 win over Brighton 2. My game against Joe Everett was a comprehensive victory in 26 moves; after missing his chance on move 12, my opponent’s position rapidly went downhill. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Caro-Kann Defence | Leave a comment

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2018-19: Horsham 1 – Worthing 1

Posted on November 28, 2018 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 secured a good win away against Worthing 1 earlier this month. In that match I played Black against Dave Graham, and was somewhat fortunate to escape with a draw, although ultimately the result of my game wouldn’t have affected the overall result. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2018-19: Mansson – Barrowclough

Posted on November 24, 2018 by James Mansson

I finally played my first round match in the Quickplay Knockout against Richard Barrowclough. I managed to win the first game easily, but the second was a closer affair that ended in a draw. This meant that I won the match 1.5-0.5 and proceeded to the next round. Continue reading →

Posted in Alekhine's Defence, Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Two Knights' Defence | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Knockout 2018-19: Mansson – H.Roberts

Posted on November 21, 2018 by James Mansson

At the end of October, I won again in the Horsham Club Knockout to reach the Semi-Final stage. I was up against Harry Roberts with the White pieces, and the game proved to be rather one-sided. After missing a chance for counterplay, he made two significant errors, leaving him with a lost position; he soon resigned as his position collapsed. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | 2 Comments