The Statesman
It is oft-remarked in the NLC bar that, of all NLC members, it is Mister Whiteley that most resembles Lord Palmerston.
In looks there is little to tell them apart, but nor is there in judgement. It was the old Lib, Palmerston, for instance, that took the historic decision on creating the Indian Raj. And on matters of imperial and foreign policy the NLC Chess Circle consider Whiteley’s views to be equally sound. So when he announced his decision to bring to an end his longstanding commitment to India (having steadfastly used its openings in both attack and defence since at least 1858) and instead focus all resources on the English, wise heads nodded. Whiteley knows best when it comes to the sub-continent.
But changes in foreign policy can take generations to bear fruit.
It will be some time before Mister Whiteley's English policy ripens. History will be the judge. But it is a far-sighted decision, and so allowances must be made.
We can take reassurance however that, no matter how bad things get, the reliable Mister Whiteley will never feel it necessary to turn to the French.
The Winner
The Captain was in a winning mood. He turned up, won the toss, then won his game.
Showing no fear of passed f pawns or queen exchanges, he bulldozed his RAC opponent in very satisfactory style.
That's very definitely how it's done. And he's beginning to peak just as his NLC Championship defence comes around...
The Loser
Hard knocks on board 3 for the QC. In a game in which white had the better of it a minor slip on move 17 let it all drift away.
Said Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon) after the game: "I should have played 17. Kb1".
The Idiot
Oh dear.
Perhaps it was truly a death or glory charge for Mister Widdicombe (in which he somehow mislaid any possibility of glory before charging....)? Perhaps just another certain step in his carefully planned campaign to make the board 6 slot his own? Or maybe the toxic effect of painkillers, anti-inflammatories and club red that led Mister Widdicombe to sacrifice two pieces for nothing, and to speed his journey to defeat?
Truth is stranger than fiction. And the truth of this little story begins last summer, when Mister Widdicombe was wondering how on earth he was going to survive against Captain Chamberlain in the Gladstone. Knowing the Captain always plays 1.d4* Mister Widdicombe looked up the Budapest Gambit, and found this delightful little game:
That's right, Mister Widdicombe thought that he'd try out this novel 'strategy' thing that Doctor Kirby keeps going on about. Apparently it's quite useful when playing chess. Who knew?
By move 13 everything was set. The queen and rook poised, the bishop ready to sell its life for victory. The only thing seperating Mister Widdicombe from the Nikolay Anatolievich Legky's game was...err...a lack of grandmaster ability:
So having sacrificed two pieces for not much, Mister Widdicombe went down to defeat. Mister Fritz was merciless in the bar that evening, hardly looking up from his pint to deliver his damning assessment of Mister Widdicombe's chess inadequacy.
That's the last time Mister Widdicombe tries to play 'with an idea'. It only leads to unsound double-piece-sacrificing idiocy. Aimless woodpushing is the proven path to points.
*(As to the aforementioned Gladstone game with Captain Chamberlain, after the purchase of Victor Moskalenko's 'The Fabulous Budapest Gambit' and the consequent hours of budapest gambit study, the old fox played 1.e4, leaving Mister Widdicombe to make it up as he went along. Another Widdicombe 'triumph'...)
The Annotator
Like a delicate and beautiful flower slowly unfurling in the spring, Doctor Saldanha continues to blossom. Not only did he deliver his first NLC chess half point in this match, but has now also revealed a deep passion for post-game analysis.
The annotation standard has now been set, and that standard is high. Behold the annotated beauty:
Excellence demands continued effort, and this esteemed journal is determined to maintain its place as one of the leading titles in the crowded field of NLC chess reporting.
So, a new editorial policy is hereby announced:
- No longer will a few scrappy lines of 'maybe I should have played...' doggerel be accepted from players, most often typed through a fog of club red whilst travelling home on the subterranean railway system. Such slapdash annotation no longer cuts the mustard.
- Instead, two pages of annotation, with multiple diagrams of critical positions, is the new minimum acceptable standard.
- Annotations are to be submitted to the editors within 24 hours of the game.
- Any player failing to conform will be forced to play on board 1.
For those too lazy to play through Doctor Saldanha's extensive notes, here's how the game went:
Well done Doctor Saldanha. A proper job, and an example to us all.
The Debutant
Miss Widger made her NLC chess debut on board 6.
A very welcome addition to the chess circle, it was immediately clear that the lady knows how to play - making short work of her opponent, delivering the full point without breaking stride, then sitting down to give Rob Matthews a going over at blitz. Nice.
Needless to say, such was her performance that Captain Chamberlain surely now finds himself under intense pressure to play her at board four, thus creating a vacancy on six...
A thoroughly warm welcome to Miss Widger! It's great to have her in the Circle.
Oh dear, I fear I’ve set us all up. Not my finest game 35. Qxc6 (ouch) but I’m happy to take my luck where I can find it. (Danny Rosenbaum introduced me to https://chessmicrobase.com/ for annotating games – I’ve yet to outgrow a free account.)