STOP PRESS !! – DIVISION 1 MATCH
BEXHILL I 2.5 –v– 1.5 WORTHING I
The first big test for Bexhill this season in the top Sussex division happened tonight. Against the reigning champions Bexhill fielded our best. Your editor was privileged to watch the earlier developments , while Bill Tracey witnessed the final stages.
Players few years ago would find this result incredulous. But Bexhill Chess Club has attracted a number of experienced players and are spearheaded by talented juniors who – tonight – competed on the top 2 boards against two of the best Sussex players.
The match reoprt –
Board 4 – Andrew Fleming ( with White) pursued a Closed Sicilian solidly against a strong opponent and gained pressure on the f-file with a 2-rook battery in the endgame and achieved a draw.
Board 3 – Howard Tebbs ( with Black) against a young opponent played a Caro-Kann and exchanged pawns on e4. When the N’s were exchanged on f6 ( doubling the f-pawns ) , observers were unsettled at Howard launching his lone h-pawn at White’s castled K-side position. The middle-game looked double-edged but favourable to White : with a protected passed pawn on d5 and Howard’s h-pawn isolated on h4.
But – Report from Bill : Howard under intense time pressure broke through on the King’s side and won.
EDITOR : I wish I had watched this . I think Howard is on fire this year!
Board 2 – Andy, ( with White) played 3.Bd3 against the French Defence. Andy aimed to make play with speedier development in an open centre ( after exchanges on e4) . Black seemed to spend tempi on travelling the q-Knight via e5 to exchange the annoying Q- side pressure from the white squared bishop on f3. Despite this removal, Black’s King looked ‘windy’- castled Q-side on the opposite wing. It was complex piece play on a fluid board and it was not clear how this would pan out.
Bill’s on-the- spot report : Andy took a poisoned pawn and lost a piece.
Board 1 – Luke ( with Black ) faced a Closed Sicilian. He faced a highly experienced opponent who used a cautious approach but offered an early exchange of bishops on h6 ( signalling attack) and created a space advantage in the centre with e5. Luke’s pressure was on the Q-side with a pawn storm …c4,b4.
Bill’s report : Luke was applying loads of pressure and forced an error – he won a piece for a pawn and cruised to victory.
EDITOR -This is an on-the day report, in recognition of a promising start to our Division 1 season against a strong club -current League champions.
On a cold night, we are grateful to host very strong and determined opponents travelling the 40 or so miles!