Our first trip to the North Leeds Working Men's Club this season. The opposition, Leeds A, were looking to obtain some breathing space between them and the relegation battle raging in the bottom half of the Leeds league division 1 table. A comical start to the night was created when no scoresheets could be found. Leeds A captain Dave Shapland scoured practically the entirety of the LS9 area, but to no avail. In the end, those well-versed in the Blue Peter programme of their youth were looking to "prepare one that they made earlier" as scraps of paper were brought out for makeshift scoresheets! Fortunately, chess pieces were provided.
| Leeds A |
2.5 |
|
Rose Forgrove 2 |
2.5 |
| Name |
Grade |
Result |
Name |
Grade |
| David Shapland |
159 |
1 - 0 |
Andy Bagley |
165 |
| Khalid Mohammed |
154 |
0.5 - 0.5 |
Ian Hunter |
165 |
| John Brooke |
145 |
0 - 1 |
David Hirst |
149 |
| David Lord |
148 |
1 - 0 |
Paul Howden |
146 |
| Stuart Mansfield |
145 |
0 - 1 |
Stan Aleksandrowicz |
150 |
First to finish was top board as Andy Bagley got involved in a tricky french defence position where he held the advantage. However, the ever-sharp tactical eye of Shapland won the day as Andy missed a win and Dave found some clever attacking resources.
Leeds A 1 - 0 Rose Forgrove 2
Stan was only the second to finish his game. It seems he is slowing down somewhat these days. Still it didn't make much difference as he managed to sweep aside his opponent and claim our first point of the evening.
Leeds A 1 - 1 Rose Forgrove 2
On board four, Paul was finding himself under the cosh against his opponent and could not find a way to wriggle out. The pressure was increased on him and he eventually had to capitulate.
Leeds A 2 - 1 Rose Forgrove 2
 I faced the infamous Brooke Grob attack on board 3. Having never faced such an opening I tried to counter John's aggressive kingside expansion with some queenside pressure. The white attack never seemed to materialise as I began to take control of the only open file and then created a lethal passed pawn. John's pieces stumbled over each other trying to prevent its promotion before he fell victim to a tactic. Unperturbed, John continued to the bitter end until I delivered the inevitable mate. John appeared to consider playing on after being mated but decided against it!
Leeds A 2 - 2 Rose Forgrove 2
Match all square and it was down to Ian Hunter to see if he could deliver the winning point. He was a pawn up in a rook and pawn ending but could find no way to push home the advantage as Khalid defended very well to save the match.
Final score: Leeds A 2.5 - 2.5 Rose Forgrove 2
An interesting match that probably deserved to end in a draw. We had our chances but could not quite force home the win.
|
