Horsham 3

Having lost at Hastings in our first match of the season, our second outing was nearly as far but sadly with the same result against Eastbourne 2.

Chris S-L's English led to a very open game with white's pawns advancing on both sides of the board. Ultimately however, black's unopposed black squared bishop alongside infiltration down the open c file by one of black's rooks proved terminal against white's uncastled king.

Not helped by my own poor effort, Horsham 3 made the long trek to Hastings for no tangible reward, losing narrowly despite modestly out grading our hosts.

I saw little of Chris S-L's game which he finished in quick time through a strong kingside attack against black's fianchettoed bishop resulting in serious material gain and leading to early success for Horsham.

Horsham 3 were at home for their last match of the season needing a draw to guarantee second place in the division and it was bound to be a tough match with Lewes 2 needing a win to avoid probable relegation.

Horsham 3 were away to Crowborough on Friday evening and expecting a tough challenge. Crowborough put up two strong players but thankfully not as strong as we were expecting and we out graded them heavily on boards 3-5 so fancied our chances.

Horsham 3 were away to Eastbourne 2 on Friday night and managed to get a 4-1 win.

My own game on board 5 finished fairly quickly with an agreed draw, both our kings had little cover and unwilling to push too hard. Peters game on Board 1 looked equal for a long time with pieces slowly coming off but he managed to gain an advantage with aggressive knight manoeuvres to have a slightly stronger king/pawn end game which he expertly played out until the 42nd move where it was clear he’d queen and win. Soon after Alex had won his after facing a king side pawn storm his opponent ran out of support, pushed too hard and Alex calmly kept control.

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!

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.

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!

27/10/17 - Updated to include club events and Rapidplay competition