Last Tuesday Horsham hosted Hastings 2 and it was a successful evening for the home team.
On board 4 Mike produced the Evans Gambit against Martin Fletcher and in true 19th century style he was soon playing Bxf7+ as well. The sacrifice of an exchange followed in return for a huge lead in development and Black was unable to defend, one up to Horsham. Next to win was Gavin on board 1, who picked up a pawn tactically on the black side of a Caro-Kann and was able to nurse this advantage through to victory over Paul Kelly.
On board 3 Adrian Cload played an unusual sort of semi-Hippopotamus with White against James, who responded vigorously on the kingside and soon had a big space advantage. Eventually James broke through winning the exchange, and was then able to return it to reach a won king & pawn ending. Finally on board 2 Mark had a good position against Ian Calvert for most of the game, and swapped into a king, rook & 4 connected passed pawns vs king, rook & knight endgame. This looked good for Mark but Ian defended resolutely and was able to break up the advancing pawn army to secure the draw and prevent the whitewash.
3.5-0.5 overall.
G.R. Lock 1-0 P.J. Kelly
M. Broom 1/2-1/2 D.I. Calvert
J.C. Mansson 1-0 A. Cload
M.C. Forster 1-0 M.G. Fletcher