Update – Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2011-12: Horsham 1 – Woodpushers 1

Gavin Lock’s game against Andrew Briggs was agreed a win for Gavin, so Horsham win the match 3.5-1.5. This gives them the lead in division 1, as the only team with four match wins out of four. However, the wins have been against what appear to be the weakest teams, based on all their results so far. The match at home against Worthing 1 will be their first test this season against one of the “big boys”.

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Horsham Club Championship 2011-12: Mansson – Roberts

Last night saw my final competitive game of 2011, as I took on Dix Roberts in the Rook. The game featured the main line of the Hedgehog System. Play followed the usual pattern, with White looking to expand and squeeze Black, and Black looking for opportunities to counter-attack. Following my aggressive move 20 f5!? Black responded badly and I soon had a chance to establish a big advantage. However, I failed to press it home, and what advantage I did have soon slipped away. I subsequently decided to sacrifice a pawn, and seemed to have some compensation, but with both players in time trouble, I over-pressed and my position went rapidly downhill. Unable to find a satisfactory move, I lost on time before making my 41st move. Continue reading

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Horsham Club Championship 2011-12: Mansson – Comley

I was pitted against Ian Comley last night in our club championship game. The course of the game was disastrous for my opponent. Following a lacklustre opening for both players, Ian unwisely decided to open the position, which backfired badly. Subsequent mistakes saw his position deteriorate further, until he blundered – admittedly in an already hopeless position – into a mate in one after 23 moves. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2011-12: Horsham 1 – Woodpushers 1

Last night Horsham 1 had something of a lucky escape against Woodpushers 1. The match started well enough for Horsham, with the team achieving strong positions on most boards. This was reflected in the first couple of results, as Phil Stimpson drew on board four, and I won a crushing victory on board two. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Knockout 2010-12: Horsham 2 – Lewes

This year I was selected to play for Horsham 2 for the MSL knockout competition. This competition operates on a handicapping system, where the average grading of both teams is calculated, and the difference in these is used to work out the required winning margin for the stronger team. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1: 2011-12: Horsham 1 – Hastings 2

Horsham 1’s successful start to the Mid-Sussex League season continued with a win against Hastings 2 last night. Overall the team racked up three wins and one draw, with one game unfinished. Dix Roberts, Peter Harbott and I registered wins, while Gavin Lock could only draw. Phil Stimpson’s game is not yet complete. Continue reading

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Horsham Club Championship 2011-12: Mansson – Cannon

Last night I won again in the club championship, this time against John Cannon. John has had a rough time recently, with a nasty fall injuring his hand, and so was not in the best of shape for the game. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 3 2011-12: e2e4.org.uk 2 – Guildford 3

Unlike the match on the previous day, our match against Guildford 3 was a much tighter affair, which we just managed to win 3.5-2.5. An amusing aspect of the line up, for me anyway, was that our opponents, Guildford 3, had two Horsham players in their line up (Phil Stimpson and Anthony Higgs), while my side featured two Hastings players (John Sugden and Richard Almond)! Phil and Anthony did well, with Phil defeating James Jackson on board two, and Anthony drawing with John Sugden on board four. Continue reading

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4NCL Division 3 2011-12: e2e4.org.uk 2 – 3Cs 2

Last weekend saw the first two rounds of the new 4NCL season. I was again playing for e2e4.org.uk. In round 1, I was on board 6 for the second team against 3Cs 2. We heavily outgraded our opponents and managed to win 5-1. Continue reading

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Mid-Sussex League Division 1 2011-12: Crowborough 1 – Horsham 1

Horsham notched up a comfortable win against an under-strength Crowborough team last Friday. Gavin Lock secured a solid draw on board one against Peter Kemp, while Phil Stimpson, Peter Harbott and I all notched up wins. Dix Roberts was the only one to lose, but in the last game to finish, when the match was already decided. Continue reading

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