report-5-19

BLACKPOOL & FYLDE CHESS LEAGUES

REPORT 5 - February 2020

Despite losing 2 - 3 against their own second team, Preston Firsts 1 - 4 victory at Poulton Firsts saw them maintain their leadership at the top of Division A. Prior to the "derby" match at Preston, Carl Tillotson went down with a 'virus' and had to be replaced. Alan Pidcock too had the virus but soldiered on. (The firsts' Captain, Graham Ashcroft insisted afterwards that his team would cease drinking that Corona beer). On board 1 Brett Lund gifted Peter Jowett an early birthday present by misplacing a bishop and an early draw was agreed. On board 3 Graham Ashcroft and Conor Reaney agreed a draw in a very unclear position with both players very short on time. On board 2 Malcolm Peacock believed that he had won a pawn but miscalculated, allowing Phil Taylor to draw with perpetual check. Alan Pidcock defended well on board 4 and although Peter Thompson seemed to have the initiative, with material level, a draw was agreed. Finally on board 5 Cliff Rutlidge was feeling the cold, wrapped in a thick coat, hat and scarf. He gave the impression of an arctic nomad sat patiently next to his hole in the ice awaiting his prey. This duly arrived when Geoff Pennington moved his king from a key square allowing Cliff's king to penetrate. Geoff's position collapsed. A competitively fought match despite all the draws – but a good win for the reigning joint champions. In their second game in the month, Preston Firsts won 1 - 4 at Poulton. No Tora, Tora, Tora this time by Poulton, more a case of steady away, which seemed to be working at the half way stage, but then the wheels fell off! First Peter Garrett blundered away a piece against Graham Ashcroft and then Michael Parker lost what looked to be a level endgame against Malcolm Peacock on board 2. Draws on boards one, David Phillips v Brett Lund, and four. Ben Fearnhead and Alan Pidcock gave Poulton some hopes of a respectable score. Board 5 was the last to finish where Simon Rogers was an early piece up against Geoff Pennington. Then Geoff applied great pressure as Simon fell behind on time and about five moves later he was rewarded with both of Simon's bishops! Game over and 4 - 1 to Preston. Morecambe could only draw with their Poulton visitors 2.5 - 2.5. Top two boards John Lyth and Richard Collins both lost to David Phillips and Barry Hymer, but wins on boards 3 and 4 for Alan Giles over Peter Garrett and Carl Heal over young Ben Fearnhead levelled the match. Michael Farthing and Paul Fearnhead drew on board 5.