A remarkable night of continuity and change.
Continuity, as the NLC Chess team maintained their steady improvement in performance. Change, as the bookmakers were confounded by an NLC win over the reigning Hamilton Russell champions. The Libs ran out 4-2 victors.
Board 1 – continuity
The ever reliable Doctor Kirby put in a Captain’s performance and made sure no risks were taken. He stuck to the tried, tested (and now patented) ‘Kirby Method’ of securing the half point – namely by deliberately losing the toss then playing the Caro. Half point duly secured.
Board 2 – continuity
Mister Whiteley continued to power on. Nothing can stop the Board 2 dynamo right now. He reached into his big bag of points to pull out yet another 1-0. Doctor Kirby’s beginning to look over his shoulder…
Board 3 – change
Mister Chamberlain suffered his first loss. His modus operandi has been to get out of the traps early, secure a solid initiative and build that up to a win. This time he was fought to a standstill and was offered a draw. He turned the offer down, but couldn’t find a way through. As so often happens (in chess as in life), ambition turned to overreach and he was eventually sunk by his wily opponent.
Board 4 – change
The match was won on board 4. With all other games finished Mister Giffin QC was left with the task of needing a half point to win the match. In a tricky pawn and king endgame he had three minutes to his opponent’s one, and held the position well until time trouble forced the RAC resignation. Masterly calm from Queen’s Counsel, who steered through the jagged rocks of the endgame like a seasoned ship’s captain. And with that, the notion that the top clubs have nothing to fear from coming to Whitehall Place was swiftly and irrevocably changed.
Board 5 – change
Not only did Mister Widdicombe managed to win a game (an increasingly rare occurrence) but he actually did so without falling in to time trouble. Indeed, Mister Widdicombe was a stranger in a foreign land when his opponent had less than a minute left to Mister Widdicombe’s five. Overcoming his own bewilderment at this unsettling turn of events, he managed to keep nerves becalmed and saw it through.
Board 6 – change
A quick draw for Mister Hamme suggested continuity – but a wider change was afoot. The end of Hamilton Russell hostilities marked the beginning of a breathtaking change for Mister Hamme. Before our very eyes he began metamorphosing from a mere chess playing caterpillar into the shimmeringly beautiful butterfly that is ‘The NLC Chess Captain 2018/19’. Truly a work of natural wonder.
Thanks Ben – my game was not well-played. Had the initiative but managed to give it up.
17…Nb6 leaves the knight on a bad square (Bxc2 or Na5 better)
19…Qc3 was an attempt to disconcert the opponent. No need. 19…Bxb4 then retreat the bishop to d6 is perfectly adequate – my bishop is better than his. As it was the opponent should have played 21 Re3 and I have to swop queen for rook and minor piece. Luckily he didn’t see it.
At the end I should have played on but was worried by the b-pawn. instead of 40…Nb3 (which isn’t bad) Kd8 to go after the rook is better.