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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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

Posted on March 23, 2014 by James Mansson

Not long after their most recent McArthur Cup debacle against the same team, Horsham 1 faced Brighton 1 again in the Mid-Sussex League. The match was closer this time, but Horsham still lost 2-3. Continue reading →

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

Posted on March 16, 2014 by James Mansson

I suffered a frustrating loss in last Saturday’s county match against Essex. After some mutual inaccuracies, my opponent blundered, allowing me to win a piece, but I didn’t look at the position carefully enough and so passed up on the opportunity. Although the endgame we then reached was at first a little in my favour, I let it slip and some later errors resulted in me losing the game. Continue reading →

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McArthur Cup 2013-14: Horsham – Brighton

Posted on March 5, 2014 by James Mansson

Once again Horsham came up against Brighton in the McArthur Cup, and once again we were defeated. Gavin and Mike picked up a couple of draws on the top boards [Update: Mike in fact won!], but the rest of the team crashed, leading to a decisive defeat. Continue reading →

Posted in Games, McArthur Cup, Opening Analysis, Reports, The Queen’s Gambit Declined | 2 Comments

Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2013-14: Horsham 1 – Knoll Knights

Posted on February 27, 2014 by James Mansson

Horsham 1 suffered a convincing defeat 1.5-3.5 at home on Tuesday night against Knoll Knights. The visitors won the lower boards with a clean sweep (3-0), so a win and draw on the top two boards was not nearly enough for Horsham. Continue reading →

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