Horsham Chess Club

Towards the end of the evening's proceedings a tied match or even a narrow win still seemed on the cards for Horsham 3 but in the event, Sussex University ran out deserved winners 4-1.

My own game didn't last all that long against a strong player. Whilst far from happy with my opening I seemed to have all bases covered and was reasonably comfortable, as later confirmed by computer. I then missed a tactic which was dropping a pawn, for which I found a 'brilliant' antidote that unfortunately lost me my queen!

Horsham played Hastings in the MacArthur cup in a very strong match of 6 boards.

A quick draw for Mike Forster began proceedings with James also drawing shortly after. Gavin followed with an excellent win while Phil Stimpson lost on bottom board.

Mark Broom was unable to convert to a win with a couple of extra pawns in a Rook and Pawn endgame and it ended in a draw. This left Anthony still playing a pawn down with Bishop vs Knight and ultimately this was also drawn.

Having started the season with a 'long castle', I finally got on the scoresheet in helping Horsham 3 to a hard fought 3-2 win against Brighton 3.

Nick A's game was first to finish. Notwithstanding his black pieces he had already established a pleasant initiative shortly after the opening which he built upon and appeared to be heading for a comfortable and well constructed win when unfortunately he walked into a perpetual with a sharing of the spoils.

Horsham 1 were held at home in mid-January by Hastings 2, in a match that unusually ended in five draws. Horsham's best chances of a win fell to Mark Broom and James Mansson on boards two and three respectively, but unfortunately they were unable to make best use of their chances. The match therefore ended in a 2.5-2.5 draw.

You can see the full match scorecard here.

Despite the captain's ongoing misadventures, wins on the bottom three boards ensured a positive start to the new decade for Horsham 3 against Lewes 2.

I did not see much of Ian's game after his traditional English opening until towards the end which encompassed a neat and crushing denouement though not, I understand, without some adventures along the way.

Horsham 1 finished 2019 with a narrow win vs Worthing 2, which left them comfortably on top of the MSL Division 1 table.

Although the winning score was 3-2, Horsham's only loss occurred when they had already secured the match with a 3-1 scoreline.

Horsham's wins were secured by Gavin Lock and Anthony Higgs, against Joe Everett and George Neale.

Mark Broom and Mike Forster drew with Mike Nicholas and Peter Larwood.

See at the first week back on Tuesday 7 January 2020

Just a reminder about the Quick Play on Tuesday night for the final chess night of 2019.

We meet on Tuesday but then we take a couple of weeks break until 7 January.

Martin Costley (Lewes Chess Club)
The funeral will be on Monday 16th December, at 11am, at Woodvale Crematorium, Brighton, BN2 3QB. Wake afterwards at Shelley’s Hotel, Lewes, BN7 1XS. All who knew Martin welcome.

Enquiries etc. please email the secretary of Lewes Chess Club.