Heathcote Arms (2) Beat Melton (3) Away

Whilst sticking to our usual fill the boards from the bottom up policy, we took a higher graded side than usual to Melton as Dave and Ray, two of our regular players, were unavailable. There were a few remarks from Melton players about us having a different team from last time and about our having a higher graded side. Three out of four of our players, however, had appeared in our last match at Melton (when we played five boards). On this occasion, it was our top board, however, who was outgraded, and our second board player was the same grade as his opponent. True, John outgraded his opponent, and, on paper, i outgraded my opponent although i suspect that, that with some good wins so far this season, Andrew's actual grade will turn out to be higher than his provisional grade of 80. Any real grade advantage was likely to be slight.

The first result was a win for me. I had been able to chip away at my opponent's pawns and build a central majority, and although harrassed by rooks, i was eventually able to push my pawns forwards. Pete then lost to Alan Jex. Rob had a two pawn advantage and simplified into an opposite coloured bishops endgame against Ian Farquharson and was able to force the win ( the game was a good one and went like this: 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nc6 3. Nf3 Bb4 4. c3 Ba5 5. b4 Bb6 6. b5 Na5 7. Nxe5 Nxc4 8.Nxc4 Bxf2+ 9. Kxf2 d5 10. exd5 Qh4+ 11. g3 Qxc4 12. Qe2+ Qxe2+ 13. Kxe2 Nf6 14.c4 O-O 15. Bb2 Bg4+ 16. Kf2 Rfe8 17. h3 Ne4+ 18. Kg2 Be2 19. Na3 Nxd2 20. Rhe1 Nxc4 21. Nxc4 Bxc4 22. a4 Bxd5+ 23. Kf2 Re6 24. Rxe6 Bxe6 25. h4 Rd8 26. Ke3 c5 27. bxc6 bxc6 28. Bd4 a6 29. Rc1 Bd5 30. Bb6 Re8+ 31. Kf2 Re4 32. a5 f5 33. Bc7 Rc4 34. Rb1 Rc5 35. Bb6 Rb5 36. Re1 Kf7 37. Re5 Be4 38. Rc5 Rxc5 39. Bxc5 Ke6 40. Ke3 Kd5 41. Bd4 g6 42. Bf6 c5 43. Kd2 c4 44. Kc3 Bd3 45. Bd8 Ke4 46. Bc7 Kf3 47. Bf4 h6 48. Kd4 g5 49. hxg5 hxg5 50. Bxg5 Kxg3 51. Ke3 Bf1 52. Bf4+ Kg4 53. Bh6 Bd3 54. Kf2 c3 55. Ke3 Be4 56. Bg7 c2 57. Kd2 f4 58. Bb2 Kh3 59. Bd4 Kg2 60. Kc1 f3 61. Kd2 f2 62. Bxf2 Kxf2 63. Kc1 Ke2 64. Kb2 Kd2 0-1 ). John had been winning by a piece and a pawn and was able to checkmate his opponent in the Kingside corner with queen and bishop.

Jex, Alan (152) 1-0 (140) Harrison, Pete
Farquharson, Ian (135) 0-1 (135) Ensor, Rob
Smith, Peter (107) 0-1 (134) Manger, John
Keightley, Andrew (80) 0-1 (112) Ross, Colin

Melton (3) 1 - 3 Heathcote Arms (2)

Well done everyone.

Next week, we are at home against the Red Admiral (3) on Tuesday night.

Colin

Heathcote Arms (2) 2.5 - 1.5 Syston (3)

On Tuesday, both HA1 and HA2 played at home.
Whilst HA1 continued its unbeaten run, this season, with a drawn match against Melton 1; HA2 managed a win consolidating our position at the top of division 5.

On board 3, and in a tight position, against Mo Martin, after 27 moves, i offered a draw which was accepted. Rob then simplified in a King and seven pawn against King and six pawn endgame and converted a technical win against Ron King. John was a piece and two pawns up for most of his game against Judith Mitton, but she put up a fight. Once again, in a very sharp game, Ray seemed to have the edge, but blundered after a long struggle.

board 1 Ensor, Rob 135 1-0 105 King, Ron
board 2 Manger, John 134 1-0 90 Mitton, Judith
board 3 Ross, Colin 112 Drawn 90 Martin, Maurice
board 4 Beach, Ray 90 0-1 82 Agger, Reg

Well done everyone.

Next week, we are away at Melton on Wednesday, and a win would not do us any harm at all.

Colin

Ashby Vs HA2 in 3rd Round of Junior League Cup

Welcome back Ray.
Ha2's first match following the Christmas break was a Junior League Cup fixture at Ashby.
Dave had to perform his Haka in the bar so as not to upset the snooker players.
Ashby won the toss and chose white on odd boards. John and Dave had the black pieces.

Ray was a piece up for most of his game. My game started badly, but improved later on.

board 1 Reynolds, David (128) 1-0 (134) Manger, John
board 2 Wyld, Nick (122) 0-1 (112) Ross, Colin
board 3 Williams, Richard (121) 1-0 (104) Ricketts, Dave
board 4 Roberts, Neil (85) 1-0 (90) Beach, Ray
handicap 0-0.5

Ashby 3 - 1.5 Heathcote Arms

Next week, it is back to business as we face Syston at home in the League.

Well done everyone.

Colin.

Division 5 at the Christmas Break

With seven out of fifteen league games played, a couple more wins in the new year should hopefully make it difficult to catch us. Melton, recently, however, have been scoring well.

Colin

Chess Programme on BBC4

On Monday 21st December,at 10PM, BBC4 are broadcasting a programme called Timeshift: How to Win at Chess. This is how it is described:

Many people know the basic rules of chess, but few can play really well. This programme offers some essential tips on how to raise our game.

British grandmasters Dan King and Ray Keene go through a special demonstration game from opening gambit to checkmate, revealing the key moves that can lead to victory. They explain the opening, middle and end games, and how to outwit an opponent with techniques such as forks, pins and skewers.

Along the way the colourful and diverse world of British chess playing is celebrated, including speed chess and chess boxing, and useful advice is offered on how not to be humiliated by a child prodigy.

Also taking part are novelist Martin Amis, writer Dominic Lawson, Britain's youngest grandmaster David Howell and under-16 champion Sheila Dines.

Get those video recorders ready,

Colin

Braunstone 4 (0.5 - 3.5) Heathcote Arms 2

A jolly good result, given that these chaps beat us in the first match of the season.
I won my first game in ages, Rob had no problems, Pete had a sharp game which simplified into a king and pawn endgame with his having seven pawns to his opponent's five. Dave was a piece down and his game looked to be over until a mistake allowed him to equalise.

Jeff Toon (108)0-1 Pete Harrison (140)
Paul Martin (97) 0-1 Rob Ensor (135)
Steve Barlow (96) 0-1 Colin Ross (112)
John Impey (90) Draw Dave Ricketts (104)
Braunstone (4) 0.5 - 3.5 Heathcote Arms (2)

There were no losses for HA2 for the second week running, and it looks as though we head into the Christmas break at the top of Division five. Heathcote Arms 1 also look to be at the top of Division 1.

Well done everyone.

The next match for HA2 is on Thursday 14th January away at Ashby and is a Junior League Cup match.

Club night on Tuesday 14th December.

Colin

No Major Screw Ups Against Hinckley

Heathcote Arms 2 were at home against Hinckley 2 on Tuesday. Three out of four of us outgraded our opponents. In a knife edge battle of the tortoises, Terry Clay and i agreed a draw shortly before the first time control - we each had two minutes left on the clock with five moves to make, in a complicated position. Rob then also agreed a draw on the top board. Despite multiple draw offers from his opponent, Ray "eye of the tiger" Beach forced his pieces through a board clogged with pawns causing the higher graded Douglas Opie enough trouble to lose on time. John had the advantage of a piece over Barry Bailey and, in a fast and furious finish, Barry's flag dropped.

Rob Ensor (135) Draw Gary Compton (117)
John Manger (134) 1-0 Barry Bailey (116)
Colin Ross (112) Draw Terry Clay (99)
Ray Beach (90) 1-0 Douglas Opie (104)
Heathcote Arms (2) 3 - 1 Hinckley (2)

Well done everyone, especially to Dave whose rather scary Haka seemed to do the trick.

Next Tuesday, we are away against Braunstone 4.

Colin.