BUSY NIGHT AT HOME
Bexhill 2 —-0.5-3.5— East Grinstead 1
Division 1 Fri 27th Mar 2026 00:00 Winner: Away
Result from Sussex League LMS
| Board | Rating | Bexhill 2 | V | East Grinstead 1 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1918 | Lumsden, JamesG | 0 – 1 | G Baker, Chris W | 2221 |
| 2 | 1685 | Swain, PhilipG | ½ – ½ | B Anthony, Gareth | 2167 |
| 3 | 1666 | Kuzmanoski, OliverG | 0 – 1 | G Kemp, Peter D | 2131 |
| 4 | 1628 | Tracey, William FG | 0 – 1 | G Noyce, Robert C | 2027 |
| Average | 1725 | ½ – 3½ | 2137 |
For general comments on our 2nd team’s overall performance this season, go straight to our Chairman’s message – my next News post. Meanwhile some individual thoughts on the above games :
From observations of only the earlier stages of games , I saw James battling actively, engaging in a bold effort ( no passive deference to his I.M. opponent) to close down White’s Q-side formation with a white square pawn chain a6-b5-c4 hemming in White’s bishop on a2. However, White gained an advantage , with Black having castled Q-side to escape pressure on the e-file, with an ingenious temporary pawn sac , d5! It vacated the d4 square for a N to harass Black’s Q on c6, and meanwhile having virtually forced Black to recapture on d5 with his e6 pawn, James’ Bishop and Queen battery on the long diagonal- aiming at g2 -was blocked. This left the pawn chain hanging at b5 after exchanges and the Q-side looked potentially very windy for James’ King.
Phil looked to be probing and creating K-side pressure on the White side of what looked like a Grand Prix Attack in a Closed Sicilian. An oustanding result against the rating odds.
Oliver fairly quickly reached a materially level Rooks and Minor Pieces endgame , but suffered pressure from a double-rooks battery against an isolani on c6 and looked to be facing a difficult defence.
Bill looked to have even chances, though with some vulnerability to a pawn on b2 from Black’s rook on the half-open file when I looked at the game. Subtle differences against high-rated opponents can be decisive.
Bexhill 4 —2.5-1.5— Haywards Heath 2
Division 3 Fri 27th Mar 2026 00:00 Winner: Home
Resulkt from Sussex League LMS
| Board | Rating | Bexhill 4 | V | Haywards Heath 2 | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1659 | Luxton, William HG | 1 – 0 | G Ewens, Graham | 1669 |
| 2 | 1895 | Veale, GeoffreyE | 1 – 0 | G Curtis, David C | 1538 |
| 3 | 1423 | Skerritt, AshtonG | ½ – ½ | B Falvey, James | 1527 |
| 4 | 1305 | James, JonathanG | 0 – 1 | G File, Matthew | 1505 |
| Average | 1571 | 2½ – 1½ | 1560 |
A great performance from our 4th team!
Bill looked to hold all the cards after winning a pawn from an early major pieces attack on White’s castled King. Despite the exchange of queens, Bill kept up the pressure, gaining more material.
Geoffrey appeared to have a toughly contested game, but where it appeared he was the one asking the questions. When I left, the position looked as though the Black N+R may have had an edge over White’s B +R after …N x pawn on g2. Geoff must have exploited Black’s Q-side pawns’ long-term vulnerability to his white-squared Bishop ?
Ashton looked to be under pressure on the Q- side after castling there and driving the White bishop away from b5 by advancing a6, b5. His King looked exposed but Ashton was defending well and neutralised threats by contesting the a-file. Ashton is showing promising versatility.
John seemed to have great positional pressure (despite being down a pawn) going into the endgame with a massive pawn advancing to d7. Black seemed to be defending doggedly and John just didn’t seem to be finding a way to force promotion, letting another pawn drop in the process. All recognition is due for John’s drive – the points WILL come.
Once again please see our Chairman Bill Tracey’s remarks about our 4th team in my next News post.