Blackpool and Fylde League Report from 20100201 to 20100228

Division B

Division B

Lytham Ex were White on the odd boards.

Division B

Division B

Blackpool no show (cancelled last minute). Board 2 New player for Bispham is Brant Nuttal.

Division A

As the scoreline suggests there was little between the two sides. The match ended even when Michael Parker was forced to accept a draw in time trouble whilst a pawn up. However the position was almost impossible to win as Connor Reaney had set up a solid defence. Rob Hanson played a neat middlegame which ended with Simon Rogers being checkmated on the edge of the board. George Ellison offered Phil Taylor a draw when the game drifted into an endgame with equal pawns and same colour bishops remaining. On top board Clifford Rutlidge did well to work his way through to a position where he was a pawn up, but Roy Ellames had potential compensation of extra piece play and a draw was agreed.

Division A

Preston 1 won the toss and played White on the odd boards. A match that could have gone either way and a draw was about right. Peter Thompson had a bad day at the office and was quickly two pieces down, giving Morecambe an early lead. David Boyd and Peter Jowett agreed a draw on entering a level double rook ending. Brett Lund played a trademark gradual build-up on the King-side and John Lyth resigned unable to avoid mate. Jason Widdup eventually lost a hard-fought bishop ending, leaving Preston one game up with only Carl Heald versus Malcolm Peacock still in play. Carl had played what looked to me like a dubious pawn gambit in the opening but he certainly had easy development as compensation. At the end, Malcolm had a clear draw, which would have won Preston the match, but - perhaps rashly - he played on for the win, only to lose, thereby leaving making the match drawn. The new player was Anton Bukels.

Division A

A very powerful Preston side were just too good for the best that Lytham could field. However, despite the grading disparity, none of the games were walkovers. Phil Raynor's improvement this season is reflected in holding Peter Jowett to a draw. Colin Liddle made a couple of slight errors against Brett Lund and could not repeat his success in drawing with him in the away fixture. Malcolm gained the upper hand in a complex position and was able to consolidate after winning a pawn. Preston's new player was Anton Bukels, a Latvian, and he won after weakening Abigail Pritchard's pawn formation. Leo Ainsworth was last to finish after being ground down by the experienced Bob Taylor. On this form Preston 1 look certain to retain the League title once again.

Division A

Morecambe are only two points behind Preston 1 with the same number of games played:  they still have another game to play against Preston 1.  In the home fixture they surprised Preston 1 by holding them to a draw - can they go one better and win the away fixture?!

Division A

Leo Ainsworth had an advanced pawn but could not hold onto it and he accepted George Ellison's draw offer. Phil Raynor was caught out by an in-form Steve Gamsby and could not survive his kingside attack. Roy Ellames delayed castling and opened up in the centre but, faced with a powerful attack, John Cooper sacrificed a knight and found himself in control of the position before winning the endgame. With the scores level Lytham seemed to be winning the 2 remaining games but after exchanging queens Lynne's advantage evaporated and Michael managed to hold a tricky endgame against English U15 Girls Champion Abigail.

Division A

This match was the first held at Morecambe Chess Club since the passing away of Frank Rushworth, the club's Chairman. A tribute was given to Frank and then we had a minute's silence before the match began.  It was a close match postponed from last month because of bad weather. Early draws on boards 1 and 3, where Lytham had white, were followed by victory for in-form Paul Horman. John Cooper sacrificed a pawn for heavy pressure against David Boyd, preventing him from castling. David defended well in a difficult position and a draw was agreed when time was running out in the allegro. Lynne Morrison bounced back from a reverse against Poulton's Simon Rogers just 2 days ago with a vital win for Lytham

Division C

Morecambe 2 winning a vital match against Lytham 3 - Lytham 3 still hold top spot by one point with Morecambe 2 breathing down their necks.  The games were level on boards 2-4 but a hard fought encounter on board 1 resulted in Ricky Lord succumbing to an error at the end. Well done Nick Jameson.

Division C

All hard fought matches. Diego Garcia Lucas was first in against John Smith and then Gary Wolstencroft and David Dawber plus Norman Thompson and Keith Sansom all played draws.   On the remaining board, Allan Wilson won in a 70 move game by coming out with a spare pawn.

Division C

On Board one Nick Jameson had to give up two pieces for a rook and was under pressure, but turned the tables for the win.  William Wilson overlooked a pawn advance and gave up a piece enabling Jason Widdup to take the point.  Paul Horman sacrificed a bishop for a strong attack against Liam Bromley who had no answer in time trouble.  Doris Maloney put up a strong fight against John Marshall but unfortunately overstepped the time limit.

Division C

Division C

Division B

Division B

Division B

Division B

Division A

Division A

Division A

Division A

Division A

Division A

Division C

Division C

Division C

Division C

Division C

Report on the Fylde Championship Round 3

Phil Raynor, who was leading the field before this round, was toppled by Michael Parker.  Their game was level after 35 moves but Michael carefully crafted a breakthrough in the late middle game and emerged with a won ending.

George and John Cooper castled on opposite wings and both launched dangerous attacks against the kings.  This was a game of missed opportunities for both sides and in the end John was very lucky to escape with a draw.

Oleg, who was Fylde Champion five years ago, is enjoying good form at present and his victory over Abigail means that he now shares the lead with Michael.  In the match between Malcolm and Colin, the two highest graded players in this event, Colin won a pawn but Malcolm developed some counterplay.  With both players in time trouble exchanges took place and a draw was agreed after some thirty moves.

Dennis' game against Les was fairly level until they reached an ending with rook and six pawns each, but Dennis used his experience and gobbled up Les' pawns.

Jon Wright controlled the early stages against Pat.  Pat clawed himself back into the game but got into time trouble and this caused him to lose a bishop.

Richard Lord won two pawns against John Regan and could have won quickly if he had forced the exchange of queens but instead he allowed John to escape with perpetual check.