Fylde Individual Championship (report supplied by John Cooper)

Third round results    
 
                                                David Andrews (2)        1       Doug Williams (2)     0    
                                                John Cooper (2)            1/2    Michael Parker (1.5) 1/2
                                                Oleg Cukovs (1)             1       Dennis Davies (1)     0
                                                Leo Ainsworth (1)           1/2   Steve Lamb (1)          1/2 
                                                George Ellison (0.5)      1       Pat Coleman (0)        0
                                                Phil Raynor (0)               1       Les Hughes (0)          0
 
David Andrews has followed up from his second round victory against Oleg Cukovs by defeating Doug Williams, another of the early favourites. For once Doug's Scandinavian gambit failed him and David's win after 60 moves gives him the oiutright lead.
Michael Parker survived some pressure and time-trouble to earn another useful draw, this time against me, and moves into a 3-way tie on 2 points for 3rd place with Doug and Oleg.
Defending champion Oleg Cukovs bounced back after his loss to Doug by winning first some of Dennis Davies' pawns and then the game.
Leo and Steve enjoyed a quiet draw,whilst George Ellison and Phol Raynor recovered some lost ground by defeating Pat Coleman and Les Hughes respectively. Pat reports that he got mated in 2 when trying to avoid the loss of the of the exchange. Phil won a pawn against Les and then launched a decisive Kingside attack. 
 
The draw for the Fourth Round, which is to be completed by 20 March, is as follows:-
 
                                                       WHITE                                 BLACK
                                              
                                             John Cooper (2.5)              David Andrews (3)
                                             Doug Williams (2)              Oleg Cukovs (2)
                                             Michael Paker (2)               Leo Ainsworth (1.5)
                                             Steve Lamb (1.5)                George Ellison (1.5)
                                             Dennis Davies (1)               Phil Raynor (1)
                                             Les Hughes (0)                    Pat Coleman (0)

Div A

Preston 2 v Lytham Ex 1  2-3

This was Lytham's first win of the season taking them off the foot of the table and leaving Preston 2 in the wooden spoon position.  The first two games to finish were on the top two boards where John Cooper and Doug Williams held Malcolm Peacock and Phil Taylor to draws.  On bottom board, Lynn was called in as a last minute replacement and soon won a piece to cruise to victory.  Lytham's star player, once again, was Leo Ainsworth who turned round a difficult position to take the full point from Kenny Quinn.  Phil Copeland was put under pressure from the consistent Geoff Pennington who took the full point.

Div B

Lytham Ex 2 v Morecambe  2-2

This result leaves Lytham Ex almost there in the title spot.  Poulton 1 would have to win their final game (against Lytham Ex 2) by 3-1 or better in order to take the title by board difference.

Poulton 1 v Lytham Ex 3  2½-1½

Poulton had to win this one to stay in touch with Lytham Ex 2.  Lytham's Mick Wood excelled to hold Fylde Champion, Oleg Cukovs, to a draw (55 points grading difference).  The ever consistent Ken Gorman registered another win.

Div C

Blackpool 2 v Bispham  1½-2½

Blaine McGrady again played a vital part in his team's fortunes:  still unbeaten with four wins and two draws.  Interestingly, his opponent, Dennis Davies, was also unbeaten with four wins and two draws until this game.

Poulton 3 v Lytham Ex 5  1-3

By a strange coincidence, both teams had lost their last four matches 1-3.

Preston 3 v Poulton 2  3-1

So the steamroller drives on.  Only a miracle can now prevent Preston 3 from taking the title.

Poulton 3 v Lytham Ex 4  2-2

Abigail Pritchard played an end-game exceedingly well in order to overcome stubborn resistance from Pat Coleman.  Malcolm Wilkinson also did well to beat Ricky Lord giving him a record of four wins, two draws and one loss.

Div A
Preston 2     Lytham Ex 1
M. Peacock ½ ½ J. Cooper
P. J. Taylor ½ ½ D. Williams
G. Pennington 1 0 P. Copeland
K. Quinn 0 1 L. Ainsworth
D. Skidmore 0 1 L. Morrison
2 3
Div B
Poulton 1     Lytham Ex 3
O. Cukovs ½ ½ M. Wood
D. G. Ellison 1 0 P. Raynor
S. Rogers 0 1 S. Willder
K. Gorman 1 0 R. Lord
2½ 1½
Lytham Ex 2 Morecambe
D. Williams ½ ½ P. T. Seery
L. Ainsworth ½ ½ N. T. Blade
P. Raynor ½ ½ C. Heald
L. Morrison ½ ½ P. Horman
2 2
Div C
Preston 3 Poulton 2
G. Pennington ½ ½ S. Rogers
A. de Santos ½ ½ C. McConnachie
K. Quinn 1 0 C. Duerden
D. Skidmore 1 0 J. McConnachie
3 1
Blackpool 2 Bispham
D. Davies 0 1 B. McGrady
J. Wright ½ ½ P. Saxon
D. McCormick 1 0 R. Broxson
P. Cregan 0 1 N. Thompson
1½ 2½
Poulton 3 Lytham Ex 5
A. Pritchard 0 1 S. Willder
H. Sowerby 0 1 R. Lord
M. Wilkinson 1 0 M. Campbell
W. Wilson 0 1 P. Connelly
1 3
Poulton 3 Lytham Ex 4
C. Duerden 0 1 M. Wood
A. Pritchard 1 0 P. Coleman
M. Wilkinson 1 0 R. Lord
W. Wilson 0 1 C. Cooper
2 2