Horsham3 v Uckfield1

We travelled to Horsham for this match in pretty optimistic mood, welcoming Arran to his first First Team match of the season.  It turned out to be a pretty tough night for all of us except Chaski who quickly won a pawn, but for some terrific compensation.  Luxy Bennet[Stevens won back the pawn and in a simplified position with lots of isolated pawns and opposite colour bishops a draw looked quite likely.  Chaski got the extra pawn again  (passed on the a-file) with hi.s rook in front of it,  At the time control it looked winning because his opponents bishop was prevented from accessing the a7 square by her own pawn and although there looked to be some perpetual check chances, the computer confirmed that Chaski's king could escape and the game was conceded.

Arran played a lively game but it wasn't enough against a very solid opponent and eventually sacrificed a piece in desperation, but it wasn't enough.  Simon found himself inexorably squeezed until something dropped off in a position where his defenders became overloaded.  Mark's game followed this season's pattern, a bad opening, fighting back into a roughly equal position, but maybe a bit better...and then the one move disastrous blunder when just sitting still would probably have been a draw. Board 5 was less interesting since we defaulted the game.  Tuesdays aren't good.

The evening was compounded by the closure of the entire length of the A27 between Brighton and Lewes, necessitating a diversion through Newhaven.