Uckfield 1 v Horsham 2

Team for this match (8th November) was;

Chaski, Mark, Simon, Brian and Artur...in that order .  Chaski drew, Mark, Simon and Artur lost and Brian's game ended in a controversial fashion.  Final result 1/2 - 4 1/2, so we lost the match.

In truth I am finding it difficult to report on this match.  We were outgraded heavily on every board except Board 1 (where Chaski's game ended in a perfectly OK draw).

I made a mistake quite early on and although I generated some play against my opponent's king it was not enough and a further error led to my opponent mating me.  I might look at the game with a computer, but you know it will just be full of disappointment if I missed something.  Let's be fair though, I was outplayed throughout really.  As I was a bit preoccupied at the start and not paying attention early doors because one of our players did not turn up I didn't get any opportunity to look at Simon and Artur's games.  Sorry.

Brian stepped in some 10 minutes after the start of the match so was already at a disadvantage but played very well and was atleast equal as the time control approached.  Maybe that advantage had slipped but both payers had about a minute (Brian slightly more) to make their 42nd move.  Brian made his move and then apparently forgot to push his clock.  His opponent then calmly sat still and claimed a win on time.  Brian was understandably upset and I confess to thinking that any reasonable opponent might have actually mentioned the oversight.  A poor show in my opinion, but still, we move on, we cannot expect better- it's a serious competition the Mid Sussex Chess League, with enormous prizes.  Which actually reminds me of a piece by Matthew Syed in The Times about this very thing only last week.  Please look it up.

No more first team games til the new year.  All the best to everyone, see you at the next club night.

Mark