Bedford derby time

Bedford B Bedford A
Board Name Grade Score Score Name Grade
1 Andrew Chapman 175 0 1 Steve Ledger 192
2 Alex Taylor 164 1 0 Mike Botteley 186
3 Steve Pike 162 0.5 0.5 Paul Habershon 178
4 Marc Obi 161 0 1 Nick Collacott 170
5 Ravi Arulnandhy 157 0 1 Richard Bodily 168
20/10/2016 1.5 3.5

Alex describes the action… (games from any participant except Paul (!) will be gratefully received and published – Ed)

A new season, new time controls and two new-look teams took to the field
(board?) as the A Team faced the B Team in the now traditional season opener.
Before it started, both team captain promised to respect the result of the
match, thereby avoiding any Trump-esque controversy.

In recent times, the matches between the teams have been close-run affairs, and
this one proved to be no different.

Steve and Paul engaged in a tight game, with Paul having the better of the
opening and managing to get control of the open c file.  Simplifying too early
allowed Steve to hold his position and a draw was duly agreed.

On Board 5, Ravi slightly misplayed the opening and was not able to castle.
This allowed Richard to create a lot of pressure and he managed to win Ravi’s
queen for two minor pieces.  Despite efforts to complicate the position,
Richard finished the game in clinical fashion to give the A Team the lead.

B Team debutant Andy Chapman was up against Steve on the top board.  His
position looked cramped from the start and Steve was able to push his kingside
pawns thereby winning a bishop for a pawn.  It was always then going to be a
struggle for Andy, and Steve broke through on the queenside and won the game.

On Board 2 Alex and Mike were engaged in an eventual Sicilian position with
white having a space advantage but black having pressure down the c file.  At
second time of asking (having plucked up some courage for once!) Alex took
black’s h pawn and was able to swing queen and both rooks to set up a winning
attack on black’s king.

This left the score 2.5 – 1.5 to the A Team with the final match to finish.

After an early queen exchange, Marc managed to get his knight into the bowels
of Nick’s position on c7, but it was in severe danger of being trapped.  Nick
seemed to have pressure on the queenside balanced by Marc having pressure on
the king’s side.  Despite creating a passed pawn, Marc was not able to force it
through and eventually lost on time (even with the increment!).

Overall a 3.5 – 1.5 win for the A Team, but encouraging signs for both teams.

Photos courtesy of Tony:-

p1210541

A tough start for the debutant.

 

p1210540

The captain leads from the front.

 

p1210542

The final struggle.

3 Replies to “Bedford derby time”

  1. Erm………
    Somewhat confused?!
    Nick played on Board 5 for the ‘A’ Team. Right??
    I’m guessing the A Team played away and were White on the odd Boards. Right??
    Steve Ledger and Paul Habershon (Boards 1 and 3) are clearly playing White…
    So why is Nick playing the Black pieces??
    Or am I really missing something obvious here??
    Has senility set in early?! HELP!!!

    1. Marc v Nick is board 4, board 5 is Richard v Ravi – I have corrected the text – thanks Joe

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