Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2013-14: Horsham 1 – Worthing 1

Posted on January 29, 2014 by James Mansson

After an absence of nearly a year, I returned to Horsham’s Mid-Sussex League team on Tuesday, when we faced Worthing 1 at home. Unfortunately, I played a very poor game (I plead tiredness!) and went down in 25 moves. Anthony Higgs was also defeated on board two, while Dix Roberts struck back on board four to make the score 2-1 in Worthing’s favour. At the close of play, two games were unfinished: Gavin Lock survived a time scramble to reach a difficult position, which may or may not be a draw; Peter Harbott missed what looked like a clear win to reach a position where he may or may not be winning. I await the outcome of these games with interest. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | 1 Comment

County Match (Open) 2013-14: Sussex – Herts

Posted on January 19, 2014 by James Mansson

Last Saturday saw the Sussex Open team score a narrow victory against Herts. We started strongly, racking up a series of wins on the bottom boards, before we were gradually pegged back. In the end, we just held on to prevail 8.5-7.5. My game was frustrating, as I comprehensively outplayed my opponent in a King’s Indian, only to mess up the endgame with a careless move, after which I had to settle for a draw. Fortunately, this dropped half point didn’t cost the team the match. Continue reading →

Posted in County Matches, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The King's Indian Defence | Leave a comment

McArthur Cup 2013-14: Horsham – Woodpushers

Posted on January 18, 2014 by James Mansson

Unlike the last couple of years, Horsham was able to make some progress in the McArthur Cup on Tuesday night. They scored an easy win against Woodpushers in Hove. My game on board three against Julian Clark [not Clath as I originally wrote – see Anthony’s comment] was essentially decided early on, as my opponent dropped a couple of pawns and also allowed the exchange of queens.

Continue reading →

Posted in Games, McArthur Cup, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Albin Counter Gambit | 3 Comments

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Ashfield-Breadsall

Posted on January 16, 2014 by James Mansson

In contrast to round three, our round four match against Ashfield-Breadsall was a happier experience. The e2e4.org.uk second team notched up a 4-2 win, which put their campaign in the 4NCL third division back on track. My game ended up in a Modern Benoni by transposition, with me playing Black. My opponent got into difficulties out of the opening as he failed to find a coherent plan. I managed to gradually increase my advantage, until I was able to take the opportunity to play a combination to win material. Although I didn’t find the most devastating continuation, what I played proved sufficient to win in the end. Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Modern Benoni | Leave a comment

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Fermented Sharks

Posted on January 15, 2014 by James Mansson

The second 4NCL weekend of the year saw the e2e4.org.uk second team paired against the Fermented Sharks. Unfortunately, we went down 4-2, with only Adam Taylor notching up a win. My game was a rather poor performance against Alan Agnew. I swapped queens early but followed up with a series of first innocuous then simply dubious moves. I tried to stir things up, but without success, and soon had to resign. Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Modern Defence | Leave a comment

4NCL Division 1 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 1 – Grantham Sharks 2

Posted on November 19, 2013 by James Mansson

In round two, I moved up to play for the first team. We managed to secure a narrow win against Grantham Sharks 2. Rasa and I drew our games fairly quickly. I obtained a marginally superior endgame, but soon committed and inaccuracy, and was forced to take a draw by repetition. Rasa was not happy with her position, and so was relieved to receive a draw offer from her opponent, which she accepted at once. The match then turned against us as Colin Crouch was defeated by a much lower rated opponent, but fortunately the rest of the team managed to turn things round, and we ran out 4.5-3.5 winners.

Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Celtic Tigers 2

Posted on November 18, 2013 by James Mansson

The e2e4.org.uk second team got off to a good start in this year’s 4NCL. Playing in Division 3, they scored a comfortable win against Celtic Tigers 2. Soon after the first time control they had achieved a 3-0 lead, and went on to win 4.5-1.5.

Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

County Match (Open) 2013-14: Sussex – Middlesex

Posted on November 10, 2013 by James Mansson

Last Saturday, I played for Sussex against Middlesex at Hassocks. In contrast to the first county match of the season, the result was better both for the team and for me personally. Sussex scored a fine 9.5-6.5, which could (as Dix Roberts observed) have been even better, as we missed some chances to score even more points. Continue reading →

Posted in County Matches, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Queen's Indian Defence | Leave a comment

County Match (Open) 2013-14: Sussex – Surrey

Posted on October 19, 2013 by James Mansson

Today I played my first serious competitive game since May, in a county match for Sussex against Surrey. Unfortunately, I proved to be extremely rusty, and made a serious error on move 16, from which I was unable to recover. Continue reading →

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

County Match (Open) 2012-13: Sussex – Bedfordshire

Posted on May 19, 2013 by James Mansson

Sussex managed to qualify for the Minor Counties this year, and were paired against Bedfordshire in the first round. The match was played at the Open University in Milton Keynes under what were very good conditions for a county match. Continue reading →

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