There’s chess, and then there’s NLC chess. NLC chess runs to different rules; its pulse surges to a different beat.
Take dinner, for instance. Perhaps for other clubs just a simple meal following a hard game of chess? Oh no. The Libs enthrone the post-match dinner as an equal to the splendours of chess. If chess is King, dinner is Consort.
But the Club Tie? Well, that’s truly hallowed ground. The Lib team proudly display the yellow, green and blue, knowing that to wear the tie is to mark one out as a cut above the crowd. And the team always deliver. The NLC Chess Circle were the undisputed Hamilton Russell Champions of Appropriate Neckwear in 2016/17, 2017/18 and are gunning for the hat-trick for 2018/19.
It’s really no surprise why. Just look at how the NLC overpowered the weaker necktie offerings of the Reform when they came for a friendly on 06 March. The Reform stood no chance.
Board 1
Mister Whiteley took on Board 1 duties, and quickly established his neckwear superiority. A stylish attempt by Rob Forrest who opened strongly with a dark silk number, it was just not enough to overcome the yellow, blue and green.
Board 2
The Reform gave us stiff resistance on Board 2. Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon) put up an incredible fight, but with Mark Glover matching him club stripe for club stripe, the players eventually had to realise the stalemate and agree to a neckwear draw.
Board 3
Mister Widdicombe battled through a tough game on Board 3. He faced a flamboyant Paul Hendricks’s bright red offering, but his tight half-windsor ensured a slender victory.
Board 4
Captain Hamme held up the order on Board 4. His wily opponent, Teddy Bourne, is known throughout clubland to have a lot in his cupboard when it comes to raw tie power, but for this night, at least, Captain Hamme’s resplendent striped yellow full-windsor gathered the point.
So the final score on the evening: NLC Ties 3.5 – Reform Ties 0.5. A huge step toward clubland tie mastery in 2018. Well done lads.
Oh…I nearly forgot…the chess
In the course of thrashing the Reform in the clash of neckwear, some chess was also played.
Mister Whiteley is back to winning ways (hurrah), although he had to avoid a mad dog to score the point. Perhaps a first for NLC chess?
Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon) had a belter on Board 2. He threw his queenside pawns forward with calculated menace, forcing his opponent into full retreat and winning the c-pawn for good measure, then thrust forward in the centre, bagging another two black pawns and leaving white in complete control of the centre. His opponent was blown away and quickly resigned. That’s how it’s done gentlemen. This is a contender for game of the season. (What do you think, Captain Hamme?)
Indifferent stuff from Mister Widdicombe. A mainline spanish, in which white opted to go for an exchange variation, led to a level position after Mister Widdicombe had unfolded his rather cramped early position. Black’s knight on d4 offered promise, but after the retreat to 26…Nc6 Mister Widdicombe noticed that the other games had all finished so offered a culinary draw, which was quickly accepted. Just as well, as after 26…Nc6 the tide had definitely turned in white’s favour.
And so to Board 4. Captain Hamme tucked his opponent away in fairly short order. He mislaid his score sheet, but the following night (whilst in a private box at the opera) he did his best to remember the game. Here’s what he recalls happening.
And where was Doctor Kirby through all this? He was doing his best ease the pain of being dropped by consuming numerous negronis, a terrine starter and beef stroganoff. It’s a tough life sitting on the bench.
Dinner
Vitally important, as mentioned above. The NLC had already won the neckwear match, and the chess match, so went up 3-0 following a strong performance from the dining room.
The sparsity of the menu does not do justice to the magnificence of the pie, or the delight of the chocolate pud.
