A trip to Lord’s is the highlight of the season for many a cricket fan. Same goes for chess. The NLC warriors descended on St John’s Wood to play the reigning Hamilton Russell Cup Champions. The MCC were good to the NLC in our first forays into club chess, and we haven’t forgotten.
On the chess front we weren’t optimistic, but somehow it doesn’t matter at Lord’s.
The MCC fielded a much stronger side than last year’s HR Cup match, Peter Rust was on board 5 this year rather than board 2. But the expected massacre didn’t happen. The MCC won 4.5 – 1.5, but this was an accurate reflection of the play.
Doctor Kirby led from the front against Ian Reynolds. After losing the toss (Trivedi syndrome as it’s known), the Doctor settled into his favourite Caro-Kann. The opponent had a strong attack but blundered a pawn. In the end Doctor Kirby gave back the pawn to secure a perpetual check draw.
Mister Widdicombe on Board 2 (for how much longer….?) was fairly beaten by better opposition.
Advertising his claims for promotion, Mister Whiteley outplayed David Bates in a queenless middle game.
Mister Hamme lost a piece against Louis Ditz, which his opponent converted to victory.
Mister Trivedi ended up in a sharp position against Peter Rust. Mister Trivedi had three pieces for the Queen, but the opponent had the initiative, which he carried to victory.
Mister Dias had his first taste of Hamilton-Russell chess against Wil Ransome. It’s a step up in class, and Mister Dias went down to defeat, which is no disgrace against the MCC.
Mister Osseiran played on a Friendly Board against Geoff Dawson. Mister Osseiran had a cramped position in a Queen’s Gambit which his opponent converted to victory.
And so to dinner, which was very good. Pumpkin soup, salmon fillet, ratatouille and potatoes and a chocolate dessert with liqueur cherries and vanilla ice cream. MCC tops the Hamilton-Russell table, but they’re not bad in the culinary league either.
