Submitted by Tim Pavlovic on 15 December, 2017 - 21:48
The 2nd team welcomed Division 2 league leaders, Crowborough 1, on Tuesday 5th December. Horsham lead 2½-1½ with one game being sent for adjudication, in which we are claiming a win and they are claiming a draw, so a 3-2 win is at least guaranteed, in what was a tight match.
Phil was the first to win on Board 4 – playing the Blumenfeld Attack in the Scotch Opening – a line he was very familiar with having won previously with the following sequence of moves!!
Submitted by Julie Denning on 6 December, 2017 - 19:00
Our MSL Knock-Out team played its first match of the season last night (5th December). Our opponents were Lewes 1 - they've entered 2 KO teams. Being their first team, it was anticipated that they might come in strength, although this is always a bit of guesswork until you see who turns up on the night. We therefore countered with a team based more on strength than possible handicap advantage. In the event, Lewes were missing some of their top players and were significantly the weaker side on paper.
Submitted by James Mansson on 23 November, 2017 - 13:42
Horsham 1 secured a narrow home win over Eastbourne 1 last Tuesday after some nervous moments.
For the first time this season (and the last, as Morgan Blake will be heading off), Horsham were able to field their strongest side, but several players misfired, leading to a tight contest.
Mike Forster ran into early trouble, giving up material but not gaining sufficient attacking chances. His opponent was able to consolidate and win.
It was not all bad news for the Forsters, however, as Matt secured a comprehensive win with a typically energetic performance.
Submitted by Ian Comley on 22 November, 2017 - 09:11
Only last week Horsham 3 travelled to Hastings to play Hastings 2. Now it was Hastings 3 turn to travel and we out graded them quite substantially.
Lucy played a typically assured performance in a Semislav and was first to bring home a victory. Meanwhile on boards 1 and 2 the Hastings players vied to make the earliest draw offer with borad 2 offering after four moves and board one after just eleven!
Submitted by Paul Richardson on 19 November, 2017 - 22:15
Always a tricky venue to play at but felt we had good chances with a fine team. I was playing on 5th board and although a pawn up my attacking chances dwindled after a queen exchange and a draw was agreed. Next to finish was Phil on board 1 with another draw, having played through a very sharp position there was little left to work with once the dust settled. Alex meanwhile was down to a rook and 6 pawns each and some very rapid play by Alex who was on 1 minute with 10 second increment for 30-40 moves and could not gain time due to the Bronstein setting being used unknown to him.
Submitted by Ian Comley on 19 November, 2017 - 12:03
This Tuesday we welcome two teams in the Mid Sussex League.
Horsham 1 are facing Eastbourne 1 in an important division 1 battle . Meanwhile in division 2 Horsham 3 will be facing Hastings 3 having lost 4-1 at HAstings to Hastings 2!
Submitted by Tim Pavlovic on 14 November, 2017 - 22:50
The 2nd team travelled down to Uckfield last Wednesday and secured a good victory 4½-½.
On top board Anthony faced Chaski Patrick (graded 206) and played 1. Nc3 - an opening referred to as either the Dunst, the Van Geet or Der Linksspringer (“The Knight on the Left”). Chaski played a very solid Caro-Kann set up in reply and Anthony held a space advantage for much of the game. In an exciting climax Anthony held his nerve as both players queened pawns in a King and Pawn ending before agreeing a draw.
