Solid Start for Horsham 3

Horsham 3 began the season with a loss against Eastbourne 2 and draws against Sussex University and Brighton & Hove 2 - a solid start against respectable opposition.

We were lucky to survive with a draw against Sussex University, even after they defaulted on the fourth board. Robert Lanzer defended the black side of a French Tarrasch on Board 1 against Hooman Honarvarmahalati, who was able to put substantial pressure on the queenside. However, after play turned to the kingside, White was able to produce a mating combination that forced resignation.

I lost shortly thereafter on the second board, playing the white side of a Grunfeld against James Fawcett. I was able to sacrifice a pawn to bring Black's king to f7, but it was to little avail since my king was the one under pressure, and I was forced into a passive defense until my position collapsed.

Luckily, Ian Edgson was able to right the ship, playing Greg Seekings from the black side of another French Tarrasch. The game was double-edged the whole time, with chances for both sides - Black having play on the queenside and White on the kingside. Luckily, in the end, Ian was able to launch a decisive counterattack and force White to resign under threat of mate.

We will have a tough season ahead of us after Christmas, but, given our resilience so far, I do not expect us to remain at the bottom of the league table.