Essex Chess League Division 2 18.12.23
Time Control: 80 mins+ 10 secs a move.
ILFORD 4½- 1½ SOUTHEND I
1. 1965 NEVILLE H TWITCHELL ½ NEIL SUTHERLAND 1998 w
2. 1935 RAHUL GHOSE 1-0 HOWARD GRIST 1977 b
3.1842 VENKATESH SUBRAMANIAN 1-0 MATHEW SHAW 1918 w
4. 1806 TONY KENT ½ STEVE WEDLOCK 1929 b
5. 1685 JEF PAGE 1-0 COLIN NEWTON 1721 w
6. 1500e. PAUL ADAMS ½ DENNIS PAUL 1710 b
(based on notes by Jef Page). With everyone of the Ilford players outgraded to some extent this was a good win to end the year as Southend were a division 1 team last season. They did come bearing gifts- the match points- and we accepted them. So 3 wins and 3 draws and no losses so far for 2023/24 – very pleasing.
I only really watched the bottom board games. Adams quickly exchanged Queens and had a nice attack going but rather let Dennis block it up, and then he went into the minor piece endgame a pawn up. Fortunately Paul Adams played calmly & held on. His grade is rather an underestimate & currently works out at 1972! (we’re going to have to be careful about this).Tony Kent made his 1st welcome visit for us this season (over from Borehamwood) and his Birds (Polar Bear) attack was never really too troubled and he to took a draw.
The first time I got up to have a quick walk around to check out the games I looked at Venkatesh’s game to see he had Shaw’s R en prise. Although his Q-side castling looked a bit open he was soon the winner. The last time I played Newton he rather mangled me but this time I won a pawn and held it neatly to win the Rook and pawn endgame with only seconds remaining. Neville meanwhile had trouble finishing off Sutherland for although also a pawn up, frustratingly he had to accept a draw.
We now have a break before we play the 2nd half of the season’s 6 matches with a few difficult away matches i.e. at Southend (26 Jan) & Witham etc.. Wanstead II lead division 2 followed by us but we are well behind. Full results on the ECA/ECL webpage .
Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy & Peaceful 2024 to everyone.
Neville a pawn up on board 1
Draw offered and agreed on board 4 as white running short of time.
Ilford Chess Club 