Once the competitive season has finished and the Gladstone hardly begun it is time for the annual inter-Club blitz competition – the Sheldon Marshall Trophy.
Hosted at the RAC, it comprises 11 or so rounds of quickfire five minute per side chess. The NLC are regular attendees, and in past years when forced to choose between a display of chess proficiency and exuberant enthusiasm 1 Whitehall Place has never failed to choose the latter.
But this year was different. The Libs appeared to take things seriously, expend effort, and consequently achieved a respectable mid-table finish. An unusual, un-Liberal and surely never-to-be-repeated approach?
Time will tell.
But for this year’s event the Editorial Committee dispatched the office boy to cover the event, given the dim view of speed chess held by the Committee, and the fact that there were no ledgers that needed copying out that evening.
Here’s what the young lad had to say:
“Captain Saldanha held an inspiring team talk before the tournament started. His eternal optimism meant he sacrificed himself and played board 1. Things started tough as our first game was against RAC A. Needless to say, we came second!”
“As we got into our groove, we gave a good account of ourselves, picking up half a point in our next game against Oriental and East India. Wins against Chelsea Arts, the Reform and the Landsdown meant we were in a good place by the time supper arrived.”
“Miss Widger had somehow managed to entangle herself in another team, and ended up playing against the Liberals.” [We presume she did the honourable thing when facing the NLC team and resigned after a single move? – The Editorial Committee].
“The chess ended on a high with our final match coming against the Hurlingham. Doctor Saldanha got a win on board 1 by checkmate and his selfless evening got its just reward. It was then off to the bar to celebrate mid-table mediocrity!“
Plans are already afoot on how to prepare for next year’s tournament. Watch out MCC – we’re coming for you!!“
Readers will forgive the young pup’s enthusiasm.
He has much to learn before we offer him a staff post.
Well done Team, great effort and there’s definite scope for us to finish higher next year.