The 16th of August saw traditional high-summer round 3 of the Gladstone take place. And it didn’t disappoint the fans. Five games were played, all giving a decisive result. And one in particular might just have had a bearing on who would lift the Trophy. Gladstone was clearly in a mischievous mood…
The games
The first game was Mister Jackson versus Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon). A fascinating clash as the chess afficionados were keen to see Mister Jackson’s mettle tested at the highest levels, he still being a bit of an unknown quantity. Both players gladly went into a sharp Sicilian Dragon, with Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) following the mainline and not opting for the Giffin variation of the Sicilian this time. Despite the orthodoxy of the opening, Mister Jackson succumbed after an ambitious Knight sacrifice on b5 failed to pay off.
The second game was apparently Mister Ioannou against Our Good Friend Mister Taylor. Most people think it happened, and some even remember the two of them being at dinner. But as to the game itself, we can only speculate what might have occured. Our Good Friend Mister Taylor claimed the win, however, and Mister Ioannou didn’t demure. Should any Club member have a record of this game then please send a telegram with details to the Editorial Office.
A mid-table clash was next, with Young Master Jacobs and Mister Widdicombe facing off. Young Master Jacobs swapped Bishop for Knight and hammered at the resulting pawn weakness. But the real turning point was Mister Widdicombe going for an exchange sacrifice that was surely wrong, and then opening the g-file for the white rook. So a well played game by Young Master Jacobs, who took his chances and was good for the point.
Bloodshed and carnage in Senor Odriozola versus Mister Barnett. A hard one to predict going into the game, with an equal amount of betting slips found in the bar backing each player. But it was Mister Barnett who prevailed, unleashing a series of moves of such sheer brutality as has perhaps never before been seen in the annuls of Liberal chess. In just five moves, from move 28 to 32, he slaughtered a full 18 points worth of white material. There’s no way back from that. Merciless.
And so, to the game of the round. The moment of the round. Perhaps, even, the moment upon which the historians will say the 2022 tournament turned.
The scene: Doctor Saldanha, playing aggressively, is putting Doctor Kirby under some pressure. Doctor Kirby lifts his king and plays 30…Kf7, then hesitates, looks up, then down again at the position, shifts in his seat, then glances furtively once more up to Doctor Saldanha…and…offers a draw!
The crowd was stunned. Murmurs of shock flashed through the stands. Did the position merit it? Was Doctor Kirby losing? Were we on the verge of a Saldanha victory over the favourite? And what of the Gladstone Trophy itself? Was Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) about to take pole position, with the Trophy then being his to lose?
Every one of the huddle mass of Liberal chess fans crowded round the board expected a quick hand to be offered. Surely the offer was not to be spurned?
But no! Doctor Saldanha refused, and with his jaw clenched in a Churchillian manner, vowed to plough on to ultimate victory as destiny demanded.
But he was mated seven moves later. Much to Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon)’s annoyance. It is still Doctor Kirby’s to lose.
Dinner
Pork belly, if I remember. Plenty of plonk. Great stuff.
The Leaderboard
It’s tight, with everyone seeming to take points off each other. Standings after Round 3 are as follows:
1=. Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxo) 3/3
1=. Doctor Kirby 3/3
3=. Our Good Friend Mister Taylor 2/3
3=. Young Master Jacobs 2/3
3=. Mister Jackson 2/3
3=. Mister Barnett 2/3
7=. Mister Dias 1.5/3
7=. Doctor Saldanha 1.5/3
9=. Mister Widdicombe 1/3
9=. Mister Ioannou 1/3
9=. Senor Odriozola 1/3
12=. Mister Rosenbaum 0.5/3
13=. Mister Sharland 0/3
All eyes now turn to Round 4…
I made the draw offer because I wasn’t playing well and was a pawn up in an opposite bishops ending. It looked drawish from my seat (and it was 8.30, Richard had played well and I was hungry).
I missed something early on. After 10 c3, play Bxf3. Bishop retakes then Ne5. Black is winning the d3 pawn.
Managed to drag myself into the game. After 26 d5, I should have consolidated rather than allow a check on d5.
Anyway I was worried that he’d get his pawns moving. Once Richard turned the draw down I got more aggressive. I was going to play 35…g5, but just had a feeling he’d move forward. I did it next move with check thinking he’d move back. Richard swallowed the bait and was mated next move.
Well played Mr Kirby. It’s good to be brave but I should have been more thoughtful. Looking forward to tonight’s Gladstone encounter and the slap up dinner afterwards…