Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2014-15: Mansson – Nkomo

Posted on September 26, 2014 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday saw the opening two rounds of the Horsham Chess Club Quickplay Knockout. As reported in my previous post, I beat Gary Whitmore 2-0 in round one, but my second round encounter against Melusi Nkomo was a tougher match. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The King's Indian Defence, The Ruy Lopez, The Sicilian Defence | Leave a comment

Horsham Club Quickplay Knockout 2014-15: Mansson – Whitmore

Posted on September 25, 2014 by James Mansson

Last Tuesday was the designated club night for rounds 1 and 2 of the quickplay knockout. I was paired against Gary Whitmore in round 1, and managed to win both our 15 minute games with relative ease. The first saw me build up a kingside attack as Black after some passive play from my opponent, while the second saw him blunder a piece and not recover. Continue reading →

Posted in Club Quickplay Knockout, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Benko Opening, The Chigorin Defence | Leave a comment

Champion’s Simul 2014

Posted on September 10, 2014 by James Mansson

Anthony Higgs was club champion last season, so he has the “pleasure” of taking on all comers at this season’s Champion’s Simul. The decision had been taken to restrict participation to a maximum of 20 opponents in order to ensure a timely finish, although as it happened, there were only 19. Anthony acquitted himself well, winning 12-7, and we were able to clear up in time to make the traditional post match trip to the Malt Shovel.

Continue reading →

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County Match (Minor Counties) 2013-14: Sussex – Leicestershire

Posted on May 19, 2014 by James Mansson

Sussex qualified for the Minor Counties section of the ECF National Stages this year, a competition for teams with an average grade of under 180. Dix struggled to get together a team, and indeed we ended up defaulting a board, which in the end proved decisive. Continue reading →

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

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Spirit of Atticus A

Posted on May 12, 2014 by James Mansson

The final match of the 4NCL weekend, and indeed of the season, for the e2e4.org.uk second team was against Spirit of Atticus A. We needed at least a draw against our higher rated opponents to achieve promotion. However, we struggled from the start, and ended up losing on the top two boards, although we achieved draws on the bottom four. The final score of 4-2 was a fair reflection of our opponent’s superiority. Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Semi-Slav Defence | Leave a comment

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Anglian Avengers 2

Posted on May 9, 2014 by James Mansson

In round 10, I returned to the second team on board five. I managed to score a win over Ivan Myall as we swept into a 3-0 lead. I managed to establish a bind on my opponent’s position, but did not take the opportunity to open a second front. As a result, it was not clear that I would be able to break through, but he slipped up as he ran short of time, giving me my chance. The game ended in a somewhat bizarre fashion, as my opponent missed that I had forked his king and queen with my rook, and tried to deliver a check of his own! I had to point out that he was already in check so this was not possible. Continue reading →

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4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 3 – North East England 1

Posted on May 7, 2014 by James Mansson

In the first game of the final 4NCL weekend of the season, I found myself in the third team, albeit on board one. This meant that I was faced with a much stronger opponent that usual, in the form of the 2271-grade David Walker. Unfortunately, I faired no better than the team, which lost 4.5-1.5, although I had my chances in the game, although I failed to take them. Continue reading →

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

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2013-14: Horsham 1 – Haywards Heath 1

Posted on April 8, 2014 by James Mansson

Last Wednesday saw Horsham 1 take on Haywards Heath 1 in the final match of our ultimately disappointing season. Mick Harris got us off to a good start by crushing his opponent on bottom board, and Ian Comley also scored a good win on the board above him. The top two boards were tougher fights, with Gavin Lock drawing against Feliks Kwiatkowski in a complex Modern Benoni, while Anthony Higgs had some good fortune in beating Jeffrey Boardman, who seemed to miss a win at one point. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, Mid-Sussex League, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Queen’s Gambit Declined | Leave a comment

4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Iceni 1

Posted on March 30, 2014 by James Mansson

In contrast to the match on Saturday, e2e4.org.uk 2 won their Sunday match against Iceni 1 comfortably 4.5-1.5. I was paired against Paul Botham, whom I had previously faced back in 1995 at the Islington Major! I managed to surprise him in the opening, and when the complication had settled by move 20, I had a comfortable positional advantage. Following a miscalculation, he allowed my d-pawn to be pushed through to the queening square, and promptly resigned. Continue reading →

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4NCL Division 3 2013-14: e2e4.org.uk 2 – BCM Rhinos

Posted on March 29, 2014 by James Mansson

Last weekend, I was again playing for e2e4.org.uk in the 4NCL. In round seven, the second team faced BCM Rhinos and I was on board four against Chris Fegan. The match was tightly contested and ended as a draw. Unfortunately, I was defeated in the last game to finish. Continue reading →

Posted in 4NCL, Bird's Opening, Games, Opening Analysis, Reports | Leave a comment