CCC

This year, the county match was played on the Sunday 6^th March in Lancaster at the Reform Club, which is also the venue of Lancaster Chess Club. Cumbria decided to enter a team for the U160. After long discussions on the competition format, the date and the location, it was decided that the U160 section would be played as a jamboree match between the three teams that entered: Yorkshire, Lancashire and Cumbria. Due to mismanagement, the Yorkshire team could not be raised on time and the competition turned out to be a simple match between Lancashire and Cumbria. Two Cockermouth members played in the team: Neil Jones and Philippe Gleizon.

n°	Grade	Lancashire	7½	4½	Cumbria	Grade
1	158	Stephen Fanning	1	0	Dave Siddall	152
2	156	Roger Chapman	1	0	Tony Kirby	151
3	155	Phillip Seery	½	½	Neil Jones	149
4	153	Alan Pidcock	0	1	Philippe Gleizon	148
5	152	Steve Horrocks	1	0	Eggert Früchtenicht	147
6	151	Paul Bridge	½	½	John Dobson	147
7	150	William O'Rourke	½	½	George Horne	146
8	149	John Whitfield	½	½	Martin Gawne	144
9	148	Shaun Brogan	½	½	David McMath	140
10	147	Rob Tokeley	1	0	Daniel O'Dowd	136
11	145	Carl Tillotson	½	½	Lewis McAtear	134
12	135	Harry Praeger	½	½	Trevor Blower	133

Our team was lower graded on every boards although only by 5 points in most cases. At the end, Cumbria lost the match on the honourable score of 4.5-7.5, with 1 win and 7 draws. The final result could have been even higher, as some games could have easily been won by Cumbria.

Lewis McAtear came out of the opening with a pawn up and a good control of the centre. Trading down an exchange later, he eventually played the endgame with two extra pawns for a bishop. At that stage the pawns were stronger and his opponent had to resort to perpetual checks in fear of losing the game.

Last game to finish, George Horne was playing Lancashire’s captain, William O’Rourke. George showed his usual resilience in a double-edge queen, rook and bishop endgame where both kings were vulnerable. He recovered from being a pawn down and under pressure on the kingside in the middle game, to an attacking position with an extra pawn in the endgame! As both players were very short on time and there was no clear advantage, a draw was eventually agreed.

Also to be mentioned a very stiff resistance by Dave McMath who, being a pawn down, hold his position against a strong double-rook attack and driving his opponent to propose a draw in time trouble. On board 1, David Siddall had a superior position and could have won his game, but he miscalculated an exchange and resigned after losing his rook.

The best performance was achieved by the team captain, Philippe Gleizon. After he attacked too early in a Slav defence’s Alekhine variation, he was struggling in the middle game with an inferior development and an exposed king. However, Philippe capitalised on a couple of dubious moves from his opponent to get two extra pawns. After a nice combination of checks with his pair of bishops his finally won a bishop by a skewer, forcing his opponent’s resignation.

Although our team lost, it was an enjoyable day in a good atmosphere. Many thanks to all the players involved.