George Winterton Easter Challenge

Last night saw the first George Winterton Easter Challenge. The competition was between the Red Admiral and the Heathcote Arms and was held at the Red Admiral. This was a pairs competition with no conferring. Rules were similar to the Harrod Cup. So, one game with the white pieces and one with the black pieces - 30 minutes on the clock for each game, giving players up to 2 hours of chess. The George Winterton Perpetual Trophy was one of George's own divisional champion trophies from the 1980's - we intend to play the Red Admiral for this trophy every Easter. There were more Red Admiral players than Heathcote Arms players, so they lent us Calvin. Stan was around too. Stan sorted out some provisions for half time and acted as arbiter.

First Round

Red Admiral Vs Heathcote Arms

(Board 1) Andy Johnson & Barney Thomas (0-1) Mike Cowley & Rob Ensor
(Board 2)  Andy Carter & Mick Slater (1-0) Ray Beach & Colin Ross
(Board 3) Amber Carter & David Watson (1-0) Daniel Ross & Calvin Burton

Mike and Rob's telepathy seemed to be working. Ray and I went up a central pawn in the Ruy Lopez, but we then lost the pawn advantage and then our flag dropped. Daniel and Calvin also came out worse.

Score 2-1 at half time.

Second Round

Red Admiral Vs Heathcote Arms

(Board 1) Andy Johnson & Barney Thomas (1-0) Mike Cowley & Rob Ensor
(Board 2) Andy Carter & Mick Slater (1-0) Ray Beach & Colin Ross
(Board 3) Amber Carter & David Watson (Draw) Daniel Ross & Calvin Burton

Daniel and Calvin drew, but with two rooks on the seventh, had been unlucky not to win.
Mike and Rob's telepathy was not quite so good in their second game. They were in a worse position than their opponents and then lost on time.
On board two, history repeated itself as Ray and i went a pawn up, ran into time trouble and lost only seconds from victory with a passed rook pawn and nothing but fresh air between it and the eighth rank.

Final Score Red Admiral 3.5 - 1.5 Heathcote Arms

Thank you to everyone at the Red Admiral for an excellent evening.
To be continued next Easter at our place.

Next Tuesday, HA2 play an important home match against Melton.

The Heathcote Arms Expects!

Colin