Post by arf on Jan 19, 2014 8:38:29 GMT
Essex Topeled!
The headline is slightly misleading as although Middlesex did indeed defeat Essex 9-7 Zehra actually drew her match against Neil Carr; post match analysis suggests that she had the better of the final position but as will be seen in a match littered with draws her decision to accept the draw was a case of discretion being the better part of valour. The reason why Zehra takes centre stage is because the Essex match was her last appearance for the County as she returns to Turkey at the end of the month. We say a fond farewell to her she will be missed. In her short time with Middlesex her performance is P9 +4 =5 -0 72%. One reason for her impressive record is her uncompromising style of play; we can all recall times where she has taken a risk or two in order to eke a win. Clearly her desire and determination to win fitted perfectly with the Middlesex ethos! We wish you well in your future endeavours and hope our paths cross again. In the event you are unable to keep in touch do monitor our progress as you will still be a spiritual if not physical part of the team.
‘Be well, do good work, and keep in touch’
Having suffered defeat to Sussex in their last outing it was imperative Middlesex got back on the horse and what a way to do it with a January match against Essex. January fixtures against them are always poignant as they are a re-enactment of Middlesex’s first ever competitive County match. On the 11th January 1908 Captain A.W. Mongredien took a Middlesex XVI to the City of London Chess Club (based at 7 Grocer’s Hall Court, Poultry, EC) to face Essex in the Central Section of the SCCU competition. Middlesex won their first ever match 9.5-6.5 and established a tradition of defeating Essex (P85 +62 =6 -17 76%).
Victory against the auld enemy would be welcomed as apart from extending Middlesex’s winning record it would ensure campaign got back on track! However both were under threat as for the first time for a while they went into a match fielding a sub-190 team which meant if Essex made a real effort to get their strongest team out they could harbour thoughts of attaining their first win since 2000-2001 and put them in prime position for the scramble for the remaining berths for the National Stages. Fortunately for Middlesex Essex were also unable to muster a full strength team but the relative strengths of the teams (Middlesex Average 188 – Essex 181) suggested that a close match was on the cards (par score 9-7 to Middlesex) and so it proved to be.
It is always a worry when your author makes the team as his duties as captain proves to be a distraction. Invariably he attains a poor position and goes on to lose as part of his attention at the onset of a match is on the late arrivals. The earlier start time against Essex proved to be more stressful as there was concern that players would forget that the default time was 2:30pm instead of 3:00pm consequently it was unsurprising that he found himself once again material down. However he did secure the draw as his opponent could not make anything of the position especially considering the fact his QB was effectively out of the game locked as it was behind his pawn chain. The draw by your author seemed to set the tone of the match as the first 7 matches were all drawn: Bob had the better of the opening exchanges but his opponent sought equality and each and every opportunity; Zehra fought back having given up an exchange – did she agree a draw too early?; Peter likewise had given up an exchange thinking he would get it back with material but an intermediate move by his opponent put pay to his plans and draw seen as fair result; Ian level throughout his game; Simon unable to make more of the positional advantage he had and Carsten getting away with a bloody nose as his opponent definitely did not make the most of his position preferring to play quietly. With almost half the match gone and draws so far it was wondered who was to secure the first win? Score tied 3.5-3.5.
With the game almost at the halfway point things were still tight, Rick, Albert and Guy were better; George and Andrew level but both Colins’, Phil and Nev were all defending tricky positions but it could not be said any were definitely lost. Having waited for the first win two follow in quick succession one for each side. Rick had jettisoned a pawn for the attack and had managed to keep his opponent's king trapped in the centre of the board. After defending resolutely against Rick’s attack he thought he had safely negotiated all the threats took the c-pawn and offered the draw. Unfortunately in doing so he had overlooked the mate threat. Rick records Middlesex’s first win of the day. The win is quickly offset as Colin’s (Crouch) position proved trickier to defend than at first thought. Score tied 4.5-4.5.
9games played and scores level - Did any side want victory? This is the beauty of County chess when two equally matched teams play one another a tense tight encounter rather than blood and fury. Victory is achieved when one side or other is able to take advantage of a minor mistake and this is exactly what Guy and Albert are able to do. Guy has performed well for the team winning both of his previous encounters and he is on course for racking up a third. For someone who considers himself a tactical player Guy demonstrated that he does indeed have the patience to play a strategic game. He has tied his opponent down and it is just a question of when not if he secures victory. With another win in the bag Middlesex just had to ensure it was not offset again and Phil was the most vulnerable to falling. However in the unlikely event Phil lost Middlesex could be confident of achieving lead again as debutant Albert was showing just why Knight is better than Bishop is some positions. My personal thanks go to Albert as he answered a late request after a number of last minute withdrawals. Middlesex is looking good now as all other games are level. Final score is looking like 9-7.
Middlesex ensure they cannot be beaten when they go on to score 3.5points from the next 5games. Albert and Guy secure their expected wins; Nev and Phil have defended their positions resolutely and go on to attain draws. Both must be applauded as defending tough positions for protracted length of time can be taxing and mistakes can be made however they held their nerve to repel the efforts of their respective opponents. Andrew had the best of his match and made a final push for victory, where Nev and Phil were applauded Andrew’s must also be as he held off everything thrown at him. Middlesex lead 8-6.
2games left and ½ point needed to secure victory and this is guaranteed as neither Colin nor George should lose George maintains the opposition and Colin is pushing hard for what at one stage seemed an unlikely win. Both games peter out to a draw final score Middlesex win 9-7. So Middlesex follow in the footsteps of the team who scored their maiden County victory over Essex.
Well done guys!
Apart from re-enacting their first county match another feature was the 25th appearance for the current incarnation of the Open team by Andrew Stone. Jochen Wittmann and Bob Eames reached the milestone earlier in the cycle in their games against Kent and Sussex respectively. Congratulations to all who have (including previously) reached it as milestones such as this are always worth recognising:
S. Spivack; C. Pedersen; C. Crouch; George; P. Ackley; C. Mackenzie; N. Chan; R. McMichael and R. Bates.
It was not possible to publish an accurate table after the previous round as Round 2 was an extended affair since Hertfordshire vs. Surrey was played two weeks after the others. In short Hertfordshire miserable record continues as they were unable to hold back the Surrey juggernaut; they were hammered 4.5-11.5. Surrey is looking determined to add the Shannon Trophy to the Lownenthal Trophy so just like Middlesex before them they have a double of sorts. Middlesex will wish to disabuse them of this view however would have to navigate an expected tough encounter in Wanstead against Essex first before repelling Hertfordshire’s challenge. If these two are achieved it should then mean the Surrey vs. Middlesex match is a championship decider, but of course this is all speculative!
League Table Round 2
1. Surrey 2/2 (20.5 Game points)
2. Essex 1/2 (18.5)
3. Middlesex 1/2 (17)
4. Sussex 1/2 (16.5)
5. Kent 1/2 (15)
6. Hertfordshire 0/2 (8.5)
Round 3 is the phase of the competition that sees everyone jostle for position; each team seeking to maximise their chance of qualification to one of the five berths on offer for the National Stage. Surrey were sitting pretty confident that short of a Hertfordshire miracle they had assured qualification to the Minor Competition, so in hosting Kent knew victory would all but ensure qualification to the Open; Kent on the other hand knew that victory at Surrey would guarantee their passage to Minor competition and lay foundation for a push to the Open. Owen Phillips writes, ‘Headline Open result -Kent fight back on with 8.5 to 7.5 epic win against Surrey in Ashtead...well done Kent - SCCU Open Division now blown wide open again! As usual a great sporting match. Two very powerful teams hammer and tongs all the way-nail biting stuff-average grades of both teams 198.’ Take note of the following, firstly the Surrey vs. Middlesex match in March is likely to be played in Ashtead, second Surrey back to their expected average, Middlesex will have to be equally as strong in Surrey’s backyard and third all is to play for as both Middlesex and Kent join Surrey on 2points; if Sussex were to defeat Hertfordshire there would be a 4-way tie at the top and one of the most open Open’s (!!) for a long time.
As mentioned the other tie of the round saw Sussex host Hertfordshire. With Hertfordshire being poor travellers and in the middle of an appalling run Sussex had to be confident of securing victory and guaranteeing their place in National Stages. Hertfordshire were just looking to end their run of bad results so couldn’t care less whether it gave them the opportunity to qualify for National Stage or not. Hertfordshire’s bad luck continues as they were edged 7.5-8.5. At some stage Hertfordshire’s bad luck has to end let’s hope that it is not in their next match when they travel to Middlesex! Sussex’s win makes it a 4-way tie at the top with 5 game points separating Surrey in first from Kent in 4th – over and above results between the teams game points could well come into play. With Sussex having 3 home matches this cycle and winning two of them they are harbouring hopes of lifting a second title in quick succession (by their standards) and if they can safely negotiate their next match (away to Kent) they could have a realistic chance of doing so.
League Table Round 3
1. Surrey 2/3 (28 Game points)
2. Middlesex 2/3 (26)
3. Sussex 2/3 (25)
4. Kent 2/3 (23.5)
5. Essex 1/3 (25.5)
6. Hertfordshire 0/3 (16)
Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup
Each cycle the MCCA awards the Martin Blaine Cup to the best performing Open team player. After 3 rounds the leading positions are:
1= R. McMichael 20pts
1= G. Batchelor 20pts
3= Z. Topel 18pts
3= C. Mackenzie 18pts
5. N. Chan 16pts
Round 4 Fixtures: Essex vs. Surrey; Middlesex vs. Hertfordshire; Sussex vs. Kent
Next Match: Middlesex vs. Hertfordshire
Date: 8th February 2014
Venue: Willesden Working Mens’ Club
Start Time: 2:00pm
Hertfordshire is on a miserable run at present which must end at some time however let’s ensure it is not against us. With the competition wide open victory against Hertfordshire is a must so that Middlesex are in position to retain their title when they travel to Surrey in March.
Go on the Middlesex!