Manic Monday

Monday not only had 3 Poole games, but also hosted Highcliffe Vs Weymouth as a middle ground. It was a busy night with 16 boards of competitive chess and still a few casual games going on around the venue.

Poole D were hosting Southbourne D in division 4, Damon provided the following:

“Poole D hosted the lovely folk from Southbourne D, who even helped set up as we were running late. Missing our talisman Mr. Fox, the Chairman nobly undertook board 1 (black) and won a piece [ed. Was donated a piece] which proved decisive. I didn’t see much of Board 2, as Oleksii swiftly executed his usual plan and ended with more time on his clock than he started with. Well played sir. Boards 3 and 4 were slower and more even, Mike R securing the winning half point after probing his opponent’s defences but finding them accurate. That left me free to launch an all-or-nothing attack, and an eventual scoreline which was more extreme than the match felt.”

Poole B played Wimborne A in division 1. Jamie took a good win on board 2, but Chip was bested by Alan P on board 1. Andy and Ellis were called up to support on 3 and 4 providing valuable draws to split the points with a very depleted side.

Poole A were against Southbourne A and the following words are shamelessly stolen from Martin S and can be found in their original form on the LMS:

“After a quick draw on board 2 where the most excitement was generated by the players trying to estimate the engine evaluation afterwards, John Weatherlake won on board 3 after an oversight by Russ which allowed John’s queen into his position to create havoc. With Poole A also looking good on the other 2 boards this looked like it was going to be a comfortable victory but then Finn Schell capitalised on endgame error by David to win on board 4. It was left to the result on the top board and following a clever exchange sacrifice, Nick managed to win meaning Poole A won the match.”

In the final match Highcliffe beat Weymouth incase you were wondering.

An excellent night which leaves Poole A top of division 1 with Poole B equal on points! And Poole D equal top in division 4.

Tarik
December 9, 2023