Post by arf on Dec 2, 2012 2:24:37 GMT
Sweet taste of Sussex!
In arranging the fixtures for the SCCU 2012-13 cycle one must wonder whether the County Match Controller is prophetic as the May draw gave Sussex the honour (or is it misfortune?) of playing the 2012 Open finalists in consecutive matches.
For most this may have been galling however from a Sussex perspective they could look to Middlesex for inspiration and hope to replicate their feat of 2011-12. The Cycle saw Middlesex drawn against the Finalists of the previous cycle in first two matches (Surrey and Kent) and go on to win the National title. Despite seeing Middlesex crush Kent in their own backyard Sussex tails were up. They had unexpectedly dispatched the 2012 runner-up Surrey 10-6 on Match Day 1 so were eagerly looking forward to the match as they were seeking to try and achieve a unique double – defeating Open finalists in successive matches.
From a Middlesex perspective having successfully defeated Sussex in each home match since their return in 2007-08 the expectation was we would once again be victorious. However Sussex’s win against Surrey meant complacency needed to be guarded against if the point was to be garnered. If successful it would maintain prospects of qualifying for the National Stage in order to defend the Lowenthal Trophy - which was proudly on display! The need to guard against complacency is even more necessary as it is also to be borne in mind victory would also keep Middlesex on course of lifting the Shannon Trophy for the first time since 1989!
After exchanging team lists Dix (Dave) Roberts was unfazed when he saw Middlesex line-up. Despite being outgraded by nearly10points per board as Middlesex field a team with average of 201 (the first time for a home match and second time ever since our return) in comparison to Sussex’s 188 he reminded his players of their accomplishment against Surrey using talk as potential platform to attain another shock result. However Dix’s hopes of victory are cruelly dashed as Middlesex taste Sussex (geddit?) winning by a resounding score of 11-5. The victory once again showing they mean business this cycle.
Match highlights – Team lists exchanged, coin toss done and pre-match speeches completed the match got underway dead on 2pm. With such a huge advantage Middlesex were looking to cement it and achieve a predicted score of 10-6!
The first of these points were garnered with successive draws from Bob and debutant Tom. Solid play from both meant no real chances to generate weaknesses to exploit or defend. Honours even 1-1.
The first win of the match was attained by second debutant Zehra. Before commenting on game it must be mentioned her presence was welcomed on two fronts. Firstly, it is always good to have a strong player and in the past where we have struggled attracting players graded 195+ she among a number this cycle is able to fill this lack. The other [apologies if this appears sexist] is we continue to have a female presence in the team! It was expected that Maria having played for u180 and odd Open match in 2011-12 would be representing the Open team as of right however she has opted out this cycle. Consequently there was concern whether there would be a woman in the team. Zehra happily assuaged these concerns
It must be noted that until Maria’s appearance in 2010-11 for the u180 the first two teams had, not for the want of trying, been lacking a female presence. Since the return of the teams In the past decade, Katherine Zjabri (nee Griffiths) (2001-08), Helen Milligan (2003-06), Meri Grigoryan-Lyell (nee Grigoryan) and Yao Yao Zhu (2007-08) have been female representatives for the u175 team. Maria’s appearance for both u180 and Open has ended periods of all-male teams. Of course the Open team was either non-existent or in the early stages of a rebuilding process when they re-entered in 2007-08. It is hoped that women players of suitable strength will be interested in turning out for the County thereby continuing to prove Middlesex are a fully diverse County!
Anyway notwithstanding the issue of Women in Chess, once again discussed at the ECF AGM, and the general issue of diversity, Zehra has a fantastic debut as aforementioned she obtains a maiden win. Her opponent contrives to get his queen encircled thus the question is will he either lose her or give up material to save her? He decides on the latter. Once he takes the decision to yield a pawn it is surprising how quickly his position collapses and unsurprisingly he capitulates. Middlesex lead 2-1
With the first victory recorded the flood gates open as Middlesex extend their lead from 2-1 to 6-1; wins are obtained by Phil, Andrew, Simon and third debutant Jochem. Phil was in belligerent mood as having not secured a win for the team in his previous two matches he wanted to break this trend. From the off he played a sharp line which sees him convert to a positional then material advantage. It is perhaps the overly aggressive nature of Phil’s play that disconcerted his opponent as it may be questioned whether he missed an opportunity or two to equalise – see game link below – for he accepts defeat and resigns. (3-1)
Andrew is in fine form for the County as he records his third win a row. A feature of his play recently is his slow and steady approach which although in this instance contrasts to Phil’s cut and thrust proves to be just as effective as python-like his opponent is strangled into submission. The contrasting styles of Phil and Andrew show the race can be won in many ways. (4-1)
Andrew’s win with Black is the first and just pips Simon whose win (just like Andrew’s is his third in a row) increases Middlesex’s lead (5-1). Simon’s last two games for the County have seen him launch irrepressible attacks which neither of his previous opponents have been able to cope with. In this match he adjusts his style and delivers the coup-de-grace when transitioning to the endgame; this stroke encourages his opponent to think he does not have a ghost of a chance thus resigns.
If Sussex’s hopes of winning were not crushed they were certainly fading fast after debutant Jochem secures a fine win against Feliks. Unfortunately we do not have a score of his match so are unable to fully inform how victory achieved. However it is remembered that a critical position was one where Jochem played Bxg7; B sacrifice cannot be accepted as it leads to a mating attack. (6-1)
Having scored 5 unanswered points in a row Sussex must have been relieved to stop haemorrhaging points as successive draws by Paul’s and Colin’s opponents allows them to add to their score. (7-2)
Sussex must then feel as though all their Christmases come at once as they go on to record their sole win of the match as David succumbs. (7-3)
With Middlesex needing 1point to tie and an additional draw to secure victory the latter looks nailed on as in the remaining 6games they are at least equal if not better. Draws by Rick, Colin and Richard allows Middlesex to cross the winning line and with it thoughts turn to what the margin of victory will be as you never know game points could be a factor if it is needed as a tie-breaker. The expected score is 10-6 and with 3games to go this is certainly achievable. (8.5-4.5)
The remaining games are looking good with Matesuz, the fourth and final debutant, looking good and Mark and Carsten at least equal. Final score is looking like 10.5-5.5. Carsten’s draw brings Middlesex ever closer to predicted score. (9-5)
With time control fast approaching both Mark and Mateusz are involved in time scrambles. Of the two that Mateusz has reached this stage is surprising as he was clearly winning but somehow has managed to let his opponent generate some counter-play which must have distracted him from executing his plan however he still has more than enough to secure the win with careful play. In generating counter-play his opponent thinks he has sufficient for a draw and in accordance with FIDE Quick-play rules as soon as his clocks falls below 2minutes claims game as drawn. It must be admitted that what happens next may have been a factor in what transpires in Dix’s game.
Since draw claim made it is beholden on player to notify his captain who in this instance unfortunately is a playing captain also involved in a protracted endgame. On stopping his clock to review the position of his player it will be never known whether this broke his train of thoughts for as soon after the commencement of his game he succumbs. Even without a score-sheet to refer to your author is convinced that Mark had applied sufficient pressure that led to Dix cracking and it had nothing to do with the intervention. It is incidents such as this that shows why being a non-playing captain is invaluable; however it is beyond me why Dix did not nominate a deputy to cover him in the event issues like this arises. With Adrian Pickersgill and Paul Batchelor in his team he could call upon players with enough captaincy experience to allow him to concentrate on his game. Mark’s win mean Middlesex lead 10-5.
Dix’s instinct on Mateusz’s game is in accordance with that of all other spectators which contrasted with the assessment of his player namely a win for Mateusz. Analysis shows that Mateusz’s last move Kc6 was critical as it means he can play for a win thus claim draw spurious. However it transpires that had Mateusz played Kc7 the claim draw would have been correct! On such slender margins do results lie! Mateusz’s opponent retracts draw offer and resigns.
Middlesex win 11-5. Well done guys!
For the record Middlesex’s victory is their 50th against Sussex since their affiliation to SCCU in 1907 (P67 W50 D5 L12)
Full match details here:
www.sccu.ndo.co.uk/match1.htm
Games of interest:
tinyurl.com/TopelvPayne
tinyurl.com/Farr-Stone
tinyurl.com/Makepeace-Wilson
tinyurl.com/Pickersgill-Spivack
The second round of fixtures saw the expected results with Surrey and Kent winning their respective matches. Surrey recovered from their shock defeat to Sussex recording a thumping 13-3 score against Hertfordshire to show they are back on form. The Essex match was a closer affair with Kent edging it 8.5-7.5. The results of round 2 are perfect as with Essex failing to win it sees Middlesex sit atop the division with a 100% record and extend lead over rivals!
Table after Round 2:
1. Middlesex 2/2 (22.5)
2. Surrey 1/2 (19)
3. Essex 1/2 (17)
4. Sussex 1/2 (15)
5. Kent 1/2 (13)
6. Hertfordshire 0/2 (9.5)
[Note: As the four teams on 1 point have not yet all played each other, the expediency of using Game Points has been adopted to rank them in order. Game Points is in fact the 4th tie-break condition i) Match points, ii) MP between tying teams, iii) GP between tying teams, iv) GP overall, etc.) Full ranking provisions can only be properly applied with full data, i.e., all teams involved in tie-break have played each other.]
Fixtures Round 3 – 19/1/13
Middlesex vs. Essex; Hertfordshire vs. Sussex; Kent vs. Surrey
The victory over Sussex combined with the weekend’s results means that with 2 points unless a very peculiar set of circumstances occurs Middlesex at the very least qualifies for the National Stage of the Minor County Championship. Of course it goes without saying that we want more! At the very least a top 3 finish is desired to qualify for the Open section so that the Lowenthal Trophy can return to it’s ‘spiritual’ home for another season! However the perfect start to the 2012-13 Cycle means Middlesex now have realistic chances of lifting the Shannon Trophy for the first time since 1989! Caution as always though must be exercised as of our remaining games Essex and Surrey at the very least will be fighting hard to secure a top 3 berth and Hertfordshire may still have an outside chance of securing 3rd.
Each year MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Individual Trophy to the best performing Open team player. After 2 rounds the leading players are:
1. Andrew Stone 12points
2 = Carsten Pedersen 11
2= Simon Spivack 11
Due to the London Classic and the festive break the Open competition is suspended during December. Next match 19th January 2013: Essex (H)
Go on the Middlesex!
Addendum
Jochem has kindly sent us a score of his game and an unedited version is enclosed below:
tinyurl.com/Snuverink-Kwiatkowski
Jochem states:
[...] “Up till move 16...a5 we followed Shirov - Krasenkow. 25. Nxg7 Kxg7 Bxe6 Rxe6 Rd5 traps the queen, and he decided to play a very bad position a pawn down instead. 25. Nh6+ was also possible with the same trick. One of my best games of this year I think.”
The final position needs no comment. Your author's observation has been corrected but notwithstanding it was a fantastic game against a player who since our return has been a thorn in our side; he had a return of 3.5/5 prior to his defeat to Jochem.
Go on the Middlesex!