The final match of the Chess Circle’s first season.
A five board friendly against the combined East India/Oriental, at the East India Club. Perhaps still smarting from the heavy defeat in the last friendly match (against the MCC) the Libs didn’t know quite what to expect. Certainly the Hamilton-Russell fixture against the EIC/OIR suggested this match would be a tough encounter…
With Mister Trivedi continuing what is now an NLC Chess tradition of losing the toss, Doctor Kirby looked forward to another top board outing for the Caro-Kann The match ups:
(W) Callum Lee (ORI) v Doctor Kirby (B)
Mister Widdicombe came up trumps on Board 2. After some initial consternation at facing an unfamiliar ‘modern’ opening system, he managed to get a lead in development and centralisation. With the black kingside pawns inching forward and white square weaknesses appearing around the black king, Mister Widdicombe pounced and saw a fairly straightforward ending.
Young Master King on Board 3 was turning out for the Libs for the last time, before (as chance would have it) turning out for the East India next season. He didn’t display any split loyalties, pulling off a trademark ‘blitz’ style sacrificial attack.
On Board 4 Mister Hamme delivered the goods once again. He tempted his opponent to overreach before throwing a fierce counter punch that toppled black. Stylish.
Mister Trivedi took up the bottom board. Quick development and few mistakes from white gave him a winning position from the early middle game. He was off to the bar quick enough.
And so to dinner. What else could be served at the East India but curry. A particularly excellent lamb curry. One of the best meals of the season.
