BATTERSEA 1^ST TEAM

Eastman Cup – Round 1

Oh well, maybe next year…

Well, I thought sparks might fly, but I had expected them to be confined to the board! During my previous life as a VAT Inspector I read a book called “Dealing With Difficult People” which did come in handy on more than one occasion with belligerent accountants and solicitors. Thankfully these days it’s rare that I feel the need to draw on the principles in that book, but if I ever return to Cavendish as captain I’ll take it with me! Enough said.

This was always going to be a difficult match. Cavendish had the potential to outclass us on every board should they wish, but as it turned out, they fielded only a moderately strong side.

Due to the faster time control, I didn’t have the opportunity to follow everyone’s games -these are the ones I did see. Ray, by his own admission, was lucky to force perpetual after his opponent was too eager to queen a pawn –he particularly mentioned his opponent’s rather premature garnering of a spare queen from the adjacent board, perhaps for psychological effect! Following the pre-match argy-bargy, my somewhat defensive mindset became mirrored on the board and I played quite poorly against an Alekhine, failing to find active play. Chris had chances all the way through, but ultimately was a victim of the rapidplay finish. Dan held his nerve to turn down a draw offer in the dying minutes of the game, to win a rook vs knight ending. Emil was hampered by being nearly 30 minutes late, and blundered a piece in a game I desperately wanted him to win. Bill had a good win against an opponent graded nearly 20 points higher. David adjourns in a Queen vs Rook & Bishop ending. Andres adopted his customary hyper-aggressive opening play to win in an aesthetically-pleasing end position -just trebled pawns on the g file and two kings.

Even with a win from David in his adjourned position, and the score at 5-5, under the rules we lose on board count. So regrettably, it’s “adios-muchachos” to the Eastman Cup for another year. But thanks to everyone for playing.

Richard Edwards

10th December 2009