Wednesday 11 October saw a dramatic and complete victory for the NLC over the O&C. Tremors were felt up and down Pall Mall as the cry went round “The Libs have thrashed the O&C! (on board 5)”.
Here is the clash in full:
It was great to see the NLC win the entire match so convincingly. Clearly the NLC team simply had too much quality for the O&C on all the boards (except 1, 2, 3, 4 or 6).
The O&C team should be given great credit, however, for keeping up their spirits in the face of such a devastating whitewash. Indeed, from the team’s manner over dinner one could have been forgiven for thinking they’d won the match. Great sportsmanship from them.
Dinner helped cheer the O&C up.
In quite separate developments, there were, apparently, some other games played that night:
Said Mister Osserian: “I was doing all right until 16…Ne7, he had a few minutes left I thought I would win on time. Took too much confidence and went and blundered a knight. Then it all collapsed.” We’ve all been there.
I spent most of that game with my head in my hands because I like the Nimzo-Indian main line….for black! Unfortunately I had white against a good player. Main line is 11 Bd3 e5 instead of 11 a4, but I forgot what you did after the Bd3, I think it is Qc2 and then play a4.
Anyway, well done Mehul.