Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2017-18: Horsham 1 – Brighton 2

Posted on February 2, 2018 by James Mansson

Unfortunately, Horsham 1 were only able to draw against Brighton 2 last week. My game saw me playing Black against Anna Charpidou on board two. My opponent allowed me to create a large pawn centre, then managed to block it, but it turned out that my attack on the kingside was of far greatere consequence than hers on the queenside. I managed to break through and force mate. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2017-18: Comley – Mansson

Posted on January 24, 2018 by James Mansson

I suffered a disappointing loss in the club championship last night against Ian Comley. After slipping into a worse (but defensible) position after the opening, a combination of good play by my opponent and some further inaccuracies gave him a big advantage. Fortunately, he then made a significant error, allowing me to win the exchange for the pawn and go into an endgame. Unfortunately, I then proceded to completely misplay the endgame, turning a win into a worse postion, then into a loss. I resigned when facing mate, as my opponent found a bold way to advance his king down the board without being harrassed by my rooks. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The English with ...e5 | Leave a comment

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2017-18: Horsham 1 – Lewes 1

Posted on January 18, 2018 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 scored a narrow win against Lewes 1 in the Mid-Sussex League last Tuesday. I was Black against Barry Maufe, in a rematch of our earlier MSL Knockout game in December. I emerged clearly worse from a rather unorthodox opening, but was fortunate that my opponent eventually miscalculated, allowing me to win substantial amounts of material; my opponent very soon resigned. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Knockout 2017-18: Mansson – Roberts

Posted on January 4, 2018 by James Mansson

I started the New Year with an interesting game against Dix Roberts in the club knockout. I tried a new line in the opening against my opponent’s Taimanov Sicilian, which led to an unclear position. I then let my position slip downhill and ended up facing a very strong attack. Fortunately, my opponent then miscalculated, allowing me to turn the tables, and win an exndgame with an extra piece against several pawns. I therefore reached the final of the competition. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2017-18: Mansson – Taylor

Posted on December 21, 2017 by James Mansson

I was up against Paul Taylor in the semi-final of the Horsham Chess Club Quickplay Knockout. The match was a tough encounter that I could easily have lost, but I managed to prevail in the sudden death playoff game. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Catalan Opening, The Semi-Tarrasch Defence, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

County Match (Open) 2017-18: Sussex – Essex

Posted on December 11, 2017 by James Mansson

Sussex secured a narrow win by 8.5-7.5 over Essex in their SCCU Open County Match last Saturday. I was please to be able to contribute to the victory with a win as Black on board 6. My opponent played an innocuous opening and I was able to build up a promising position in the middlegame. After he allowed a neat tactical blow, I should have won easily, but instead allowed him to complicate things. I allowed the win to slip, but fortunately he soon blundered himself and resigned at once. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Knockout: Horsham 1 – Lewes 1

Posted on December 6, 2017 by James Mansson

Horsham crashed out of the Mid-Sussex League knockout in disasterous style. According to the handicapping rule, we needed to win 4-1. We actually lost 1-4. Things went badly wrong in all games except Lucy’s on bottom board. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2017-18: Horsham 1 – Eastbourne 1

Posted on November 22, 2017 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 had a tough match against Eastbourne 1 on Tuesday. The current score is 3-1 to us, with one game outstanding, which means we have won the match, although the remaining game could well be a loss, so the margin will most likely be tight. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2017-18: Higgs – Mansson

Posted on November 19, 2017 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday I played my game against Anthony Higgs in the club championship. I was Black and managed to obtain a decent position against my opponent’s unorthodox opening. After some complications, we ended up in an endgame which turned gradually in my favour. However, I failed to make the most of my chances and the game ended up as a draw. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Vienna Game | 2 Comments

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2017-18: Horsham 1 – Haywards Heath 1

Posted on November 11, 2017 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 bouncded back from the defeat against Hastings 1 with a 4.5-0.5 win over Haywards Heath 1. I won as White against Graham Ewans in a game where my opponent’s aggressive play in the opening ultimately left him with too many pawn weaknesses. I made a couple of innaccuracies which gave my opponent some chances to equalise, but my opponent missed his opportunities and I was able to establish a solid advantage. In time trouble, the accuracy of the play fell, but I ultimately prevailed. Continue reading →

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