Horsham 3

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

Horsham’s Mid Sussex League season kicked off on Tuesday night with the much awaited 2nd team versus 3rd team clash in Division 2. Both teams fielded strong sides and it was always going to be a close, tense affair. The 2nd team out-graded the 3rd team by an average of 12 points and being the away team had the benefit of three whites, but it was clear that each individual match would be closely fought!

Division 2 has been finalised and Horsham 3 have just missed out on promotion.