Remember, remember, the 5th of November; the gunpowder treason and plot…
A five board friendly at the Hurlingham. With many of the NLC squad choosing to do what all good liberals do in November – spend the evening burning traitors in effigy and cursing the pope – it fell to those who were not at a fireworks event to carry the flag.
And an odd thing happened. With the match poised at 2.5-1.5 in Hurlingham’s favour, it was Mister Widdicombe’s game that would decide the result. Worried looks shot between the NLC players – Mister Widdicombe is not the most reliable deliverer of full points. And – steady yourself for this – Mister Widdicombe won on time. Yes, you read that right. He won on time. Has this ever happened before? Indeed, has Mister Widdicombe ever been ahead on time, let alone secure the win because of it? Well, dear reader, it happened, and the match was drawn 2.5-2.5.
Board 1
Mister Whiteley took on Board 1 duties. The NLC Board 1 is a thankless task, and like the Forlorn Hope, charging first through the breach, they sacrifice themselves for those that follow. He duly took the punishment that only an NLC Board 1 can take, and lasted out nearly 30 moves.
Board 2
Mister Giffin QC MA (Oxon) faced the tricky Michael Yeo on two with black. A closed sicilian led to a fascinating game, but the QC got caught up in a congested queenside and couldn’t quite see it through.
Board 3
This one went down to the wire; the last to finish. Mister Widdicombe had a comfortable position through the game, but never quite enough to get a full attack on. Black got some counterplay on the kingside but equally didn’t look like ever landing a killer punch. Overall, a controlled game by white and time management saw him through.
Board 4
Mister Dias continued his solid run after returning from a chess break. He raced ahead against his opponent, went a piece up and had white on the ropes, before letting him back in the game and running things out to a draw. Well, we’ve all let that half point slip away from time to time.
Board 5
Young Master Jacobs continues to impress on the lower boards. He took advantage of black’s early queen development to tuck his opponent away in short order, and spent the rest of the evening playing blitz. He needs to move up the order, Captain!
Dinner
And so to dinner. A remarkable meal. In your humble correspondant’s view, this was one of the finest post-combat meal in memory, and certainly the equal of the MCC pie and the Athenaeum venison. The cauliflower and ‘chess’ croquettes had a delightful sharp apple garnish that cut through the cheese and the pie packed a flavour punch that left one begging for more. Not often this organ goes all Masterchef, but there you are.
Remember, remember!
The fifth of November,
The Gunpowder treason and plot;
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot!
Guy Fawkes and his companions
Did the scheme contrive,
To blow the King and Parliament
All up alive.
Threescore barrels, laid below,
To prove old England’s overthrow.
But, by God’s providence, him they catch,
With a dark lantern, lighting a match!
A stick and a stake
For King James’s sake!
If you won’t give me one,
I’ll take two,
The better for me,
And the worse for you.
A rope, a rope, to hang the Pope,
A penn’orth of cheese to choke him,
A pint of beer to wash it down,
And a jolly good fire to burn him.
Holloa, boys! holloa, boys! make the bells ring!
Holloa, boys! holloa boys! God save the King!
Hip, hip, hooor-r-r-ray!