Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2015-16: Horsham 1 – Brighton 2

Horsham 1 had a disappointing draw against Brighton 2 last Tuesday. My game proved crucial, as it was the last to finish with the score at 2.5-1.5 in our favour. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2015-16: Mansson – Kington

I was close to beating Paul Kington in our Horsham Club Championship game last Tuesday, but slipped up in a winning position, allowing him to escape with a draw. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2015-16: Horsham 1 – Worthing 1

Worthing have proved difficult opposition for us in recent years, but in our latest match, we scored a crushing 4.5-0.5 win. After a couple of losses in the league, I was happy to notch my first win, especially as it was against Chris Jones, whom I have not managed to beat in our previous meetings. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2015-16: Eastbourne 1 – Horsham 1

Last night I went down to Eastbourne to play for Horsham 1 against Eastbourne 1 in the Mid-Sussex League. I was pushed up to first board, as Gavin Lock was unable to play. I faced Rasa Norinkeviciute as White. The game started promisingly for me as I obtained what looked like (and still does) a good position for me out of the opening. However, although what I then chose looked at first good, Rasa defended solidly, and it was difficult to decide on what to play next. I played a rash pawn sacrifice which looks even less after analysing the position. Although I could have played better over the next few moves, my position was still tough to play. As it happens, I played poorly and Rasa well, so she ended up winning comfortably. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2015-16: Roberts – Mansson

I was able to get in one more club championship game before Christmas, this time against Dix Roberts. Ultimately, the result of the game was disappointing for me, as I achieved a winning position but was unable to push my advantage home. Continue reading →

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County Match (Open) 2015-16: Sussex – Essex

Last Saturday Sussex successfully overcame Essex at home, to get back on track following their disastrous loss in the first match of the season. My game was a draw in the end, although at several points I seemed to have chances of achieving more. None the less, it was an important result in securing the win. Continue reading →

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2015-16: Horsham 1 – Horsham 2

As both Horsham 1 and Horsham 2 are in division one, their first match of the season was against each other. The teams are closely matched, so I was up against a tough opponent in Paul Taylor. The game did not have a happy result for me. I went into an inferior endgame early on, and did not play it well. When I blundered a piece on move 23, my position was in any case lost. Continue reading →

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Horsham Club Championship 2015-16: Mansson – Harbott

I continued my good start to the Club Championship last night by winning in 21 moves against Peter Harbott. Right out of the opening, I achieved a promising position, and when my opponent slipped up to allow a combination opening the centre, he was in big trouble. A further oversight allowed me to force mate. Continue reading →

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County Match (Open) 2015-16: Sussex – Surrey

Yesterday, I played my first game of the season for the Sussex Open team. We were playing Surrey away at Coulsdon. Unfortunately, Dix had great trouble getting players for the match; we ended up four players short, so started 0-4 down. We also had the problem that the players we lost were in the middle of the team, so a number of players were a few boards above where they usually would be. Not surprisingly, we lost heavily. However, on a personal note, I achieved a decent result: a draw against a strong player (current grade 199), against whom I had twice lost previously in county matches over the years.

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Horsham Club Championship 2015-16: Mansson – Warren

I got off to a good start is this year’s Horsham Chess Club Championship, with a 26-move win against Nick Warren two weeks ago. We reached a sharp position after my 21st move, where Black was still doing fine, but my opponent slipped up and lost rapidly. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Championship, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Gruenfeld Defence | 2 Comments