Following the draw against the Hurlingham Club, the NLC band reassembled at Whitehall Place to face the tougher prospect of the reigning Hamilton Russell champions.
Mister Chamberlain assumed the captaincy in the absence of Captain Hamme, who is off sunning himself in Grenada. Mister Chamberlain took over seamlessly, losing the toss in traditional NLC fashion.
Like many recent matches, the NLC seemed to have good opportunities, but were ground down by superior opposition. The match finished 0.5-3.5 to the RAC, but the play was closer than that. It can’t really be classed as hit and run. Given the good humour displayed by the RAC in the bar and at dinner, it was more a hit and dine incident.
Board 1
Doctor Kirby led from the front against Stephen Meyler. The Doctor tried to keep the tension going in a Queen’s Pawn opening, but the position simplified quickly into a drawn ending. The Doctor and his opponent took a principled decision, shook hands, and headed to the bar. The Rioja on the Wine of the Month list is quite good, apparently.
Board 2
Mister Chamberlain was white on Board 2 against Trevor Dunmore. He had more space from the opening, but it didn’t do much good against his opponent’s King’s Side attack. Mister Chamberlain held out for a good while against an onslaught but eventually gave the opponent a route in as a result of an attempt to counter-attack.
Said Mister Chamberlain after the game: “After my poor moves 26 and 27 he was well ahead and missed a killing attack on move 38 after my bad Qd1. He was running a bit low on time and played the very passive Kf7 instead of Nxh2. My next move, Qe2, brought us back level again, but it couldn’t last…”.
Board 3
Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon) played a Closed Sicilian against Wayne Clark on Board 3. Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon)’s Queen’s Side attack seemed to stall while the opponent’s King’s Side attack crashed through. Way it can sometimes go in the Sicilian.
Board 4
There was a welcome return from Mister Dias on Board 4 after a long break. Sadly Mister Dias was still bearing a little ring rust, which his opponent Henry McWatters was quick to exploit. A slightly defensive Queen’s Gambit set-up and a premature Queen’s Side attack were repulsed by the RAC Board 4.
Welcome back Mister Dias!
The NLC went to lick its wounds at dinner, and the Dining Room came through in style. Mozzarella, Blood Orange and Walnut Salad, Beef Stroganoff with Rice and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Perfect for a cold February night.
