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County U160

County Chess: U160 2009/10
Here are the results and reports of the Manchester County U160 team in the MCCU competition.

Fixtures

October 17th 2009 Gtr. Manchester v Shropshire

November 7th 2009 Staffordshire v Gtr. Manchester

January 23rd 2010 Gtr. Manchester v Leicestershire

February 13th 2010 Warwickshire v Gtr. Manchester

March 20th 2010 Nottinghamshire v Gtr. Manchester

Table

Results

MCCU U160 Championship.

October 17th 2009.
Venue: Atherton, Gtr Manchester.

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Match Report
Manchester was host to Shropshire for the first of this season’s U160s county matches on Saturday October 17th. Many thanks to Mick Connor for arranging the venue at Atherton which provided comfortable playing conditions.
The opposition captain arrived late with the team list and regrettably announced two defaults. Our board 3, Matthew Pollard, volunteered to stand-down offering newcomer and rapidplay specialist Phil Adshead a game on board 14. This also offered the rest of the lower boards a more challenging game and match. Phil secured a useful half-point on his debut match.
The match finally got underway around 1.20 pm. Shrops managed a couple of early wins to overcome the default deficit. My own game on board 2 was off to a poor start after a tactical pawn break in the opening misfired leaving my opponent a pawn up and a much superior position. I held out until move 60 before resigning a lost endgame.
By this stage Shrops were in the lead 6½-5½ with 4 games to go. However things looked promising for Manchester on the remaining 4 boards. Mark McNulty (Stockport) soon drew in his first match for the county. Another newcomer, Nathan Butterworth (3Cs), had an extra rook and the attack. He soon checkmated his opponent to level the match. Peter King (Stockport) also in his first match for the county was on the defending side of a RP vs R ending and duly bagged half-point.
So with the match at 7½-7½ it was all riding on board 9 with Manchester regular David Connolly (Bolton) facing Shrops’s Richard Thompson. David was actually an exchange for a pawn up with rooks on the seventh rank seemingly giving Manchester the advantage. However his opponent’s counterplay forced a return of the exchange followed by a further exchange of a knight for two advanced passed pawns. This left David with R+2P vs RB+P. David had the outside passed a-pawn. Both players had the h-pawn but his opponent had the ‘wrong bishop’ for his rook-pawn meaning an exchange of rooks would leave the game drawn. The players agreed to split the point in due course making the final result of this closely contested match a draw at 8-8.
Other wins for Manchester included regular Jim Nicolson with the black pieces and newcomer Steven Jones who rose to the challenge of being promoted to board 3 to defeat his higher-rated opponent.
Harry Brooks (Great Lever) and Marc Constantine (Chorlton) also debuted in the squad. There were quite a few new faces so apologies if I didn’t get chance to speak to everyone.
Many thanks to all the players who made this match possible: regulars and newcomers alike. Particular thanks to the drivers and again Mick Connor for arranging the venue.
Our next match is in three weeks on November 7th and we’ll be away to Staffordshire. So if you’re interested in playing then let me know ASAP and please pass this on to anyone else who could be. The recent grading shake-up should allow more people to get involved in the county matches and the U160s team is recruiting roughly in the 120-159 ECF bracket.
Cheers,
Jon Lonsdale (U160 Captain)
jon@jlonsdale.net
01204-406133
07980-604302

MCCU U160 Championship.

November 7th 2009.
Venue: Newcastle-U-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Midland Counties Chess Union U160 Championship 2009/10
Board	GTR. MANCHESTER	Grade	Score	Score	Gra de	SHROPSHIRE
1	A BERESFORD	159	0	1	158	G LEE
2	J LONSDALE	157	0	1	156	G EDWARDS
3	S JONES	143	1	0	152	A TUNKS
4	R NURSE	149	½	½	147	J WESTHEAD
5	M CONNOR	147	0	1	147	S TARR
6	P KING	146	½	½	142	P CREAN
7	M MCNULTY	144	½	½	143	E RABY
8	D MCCARTHY	142	½	½	141	G WHITE
9	D CONNOLLY	141	½	½	138	R THOMPSON
10	J NICOLSON	141	1	0	133	A MEHMOOD
11	M CONSTANTINE	U/G	0	1	134	W PECK
12	D BENCHEBRA	U/G	0	1	131	N PAUL
13	N BUTTERWORTH	U/G	1	0	131	I DAVIES
14	P ADSHEAD	U/G	½	½	117	R BROWN
15	M POLLARD	150	1	0		DEFAULT
16	H BROOKS	119	1	0		DEFAULT
	Average grade		8	8		Average grade

Midland Counties Chess Union U160 Championship 2009/10
Board	GTR. MANCHESTER	Grade	Score	Score	Gra de	SHROPSHIRE
1	A BERESFORD	159	0	1	158	G LEE
2	J LONSDALE	157	0	1	156	G EDWARDS
3	S JONES	143	1	0	152	A TUNKS
4	R NURSE	149	½	½	147	J WESTHEAD
5	M CONNOR	147	0	1	147	S TARR
6	P KING	146	½	½	142	P CREAN
7	M MCNULTY	144	½	½	143	E RABY
8	D MCCARTHY	142	½	½	141	G WHITE
9	D CONNOLLY	141	½	½	138	R THOMPSON
10	J NICOLSON	141	1	0	133	A MEHMOOD
11	M CONSTANTINE	U/G	0	1	134	W PECK
12	D BENCHEBRA	U/G	0	1	131	N PAUL
13	N BUTTERWORTH	U/G	1	0	131	I DAVIES
14	P ADSHEAD	U/G	½	½	117	R BROWN
15	M POLLARD	150	1	0		DEFAULT
16	H BROOKS	119	1	0		DEFAULT
	Average grade		8	8		Average grade

Midland Counties Chess Union U160 Championship 2009/10
Board	STAFFORDSHIRE	Grade	Score	Score	Gra de	GTR MANCHESTER
1	J STANIFORTH	157	½	½	159	A BERESFORD
2	B ZITHA	156	1	0	157	J LONSDALE
3	M WOOTON	154	0	1	155	J RITA
4	P LEARY	153	0	1	153	S JONES
5	W ARMSTRONG	153	½	½	153	A WILKINSON
6	D PERKS	152	1	0	150	M POLLARD
7	S HILL	152	0	1	149	R NURSE
8	M GROOMBRIDGE	151	0	1	147	M CONNOR
9	A LEADBETTER	147	1	0	146	P KING
10	K MCNULTY	146	0	1	144	M MCNULTY
11	W REA	146	½	½	142	D MCCARTHY
12	S WILCOX	157	½	½	141	J NICOLSON
13	M WYZA	137	1	0	140	R SUMNER
14	M CARR	135	0	1	137	G PHYTHIAN
15	P BROOMHALL	133	1	0	129	L MOORE
16	B BIRCHALL	125	1	0	119	H BROOKS
	Average grade	147	8	8	145	Average grade

MCCU U160 Championship.

January 23rd 2010.
Venue: The Newcastle Bridge Club, 6 King St, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire.

Midland Counties Chess Union U160 Championship 2009/10
Board	LEICESTERSHIRE	Grade	Score	Score	Grade	GTR MANCHESTER
1	D FARRALL	159	1	0	159	A BERESFORD
2	G BOOLEY	157	½	½	153	S JONES
3	P DEACON	154	½	½	151	D PARDOE
4	K POTTER	154	½	½	147	M CONNOR
5	M TATE	154	1	0	150	M POLLARD
6	S TURVEY	150	½	½	157	J LONSDALE
7	M COWLEY	148	½	½	146	P KING
8	P GIBSON	148	½	½	144	M MCNULTY
9	R COLLINS	143	½	½	143	D KIERMAN
10	P HARLOW	143	½	½	142	M MCCARTHY
11	P WATKINSON	143	½	½	141	J NICOLSON
12	P HARRISON	140	0	1	141	D CONNOLLY
13	L HAYDEN	138	½	½	140	R SUMNER
14	P HICKMAN	137	1	0	137	G PHYTHIAN
15	I FARQUHARSON	135	½	½	129	L MOORE
16	D REYNOLDS	128	1	0	119	H BROOKS
	Average grade	145	9½	6½	143	Average grade

Match Report
Gtr Manchester were host to Leicester for their third fixture of the U160s. A neutral venue had been arranged at the Newcastle-under-Lyme Bridge Club. A second group match (Staffs vs Warks) was also being played but overall I think the venue still offered adequate space and facilities.
Leicestershire seemed to have a very solid line-up throughout all the boards so I knew it would prove to be a tough match. Gtr Manchester lost the toss to secure Jim Nicolson a further game with the black pieces.
Early in the match the Leicestershire’s captain mobile phone went off (despite the pre-match request) causing a forfeit of the game. A harsh penalty but hopefully a lesson learnt for all.
I typically invite a bit of board juggling from players in advance so they can hopefully get a game that matches their current form. Steven Jones and Mick Connor were feeling confident and were promoted to boards 2 and 4 respectively to face encounters with higher-rated opponents. Both players finished with creditable draws.
In my own game I had the white side of a QGD. Black had gotten himself rather cramped up with a bad Q-side bishop and I had a nice space advantage. Optically things looked good for White but I struggled to find anything decisive either in terms of attacking the kingside or aiming for a break on the queenside. Eventually my opponent equalised and, both getting short of time, we agreed a draw.
Matthew Pollard played an exchange-sac in the Sicilian (RxNc3). An intermezzo by his opponent (BxNf6) saved his e-pawn (from Nxe4). Matthew did succeed in damaging his opponent’s queenside pawn structure and secured the two bishops. However this ultimately wasn’t enough to compensate.
Peter King had the black side of a Caro Kann. His opponent over-extended his pawn structure in the opening allowing Peter to pressurise from the wings, eventually winning a pawn (or maybe two)? I think Peter was probably disappointed not to get more than a draw.
Eventually Leicestershire’s greater team strength showed though. Final result: Gtr Manchester 6.5 – Leicestershire 9.5.
Overall, an enjoyable match. Many thanks to everyone involved, in particular the drivers.
The next match is coming up on Feb 13th and will be away to Warks. We’re recruiting now for players so please get in touch if you’re interested in playing or know anyone else who might be.
Best regards,
Jon Lonsdale
01204-406133
07980-604302

MCC Under 160 Championship

February 27th 2010.

Venue: Birmingham

Match Report

Gtr Manchester travelled to Birmingham for their fourth fixtures of the U160s on February 27th to face a strong side from Warwickshire. We lost the toss, securing Jim Nicolson his black pieces again.
Alan Beresford quickly drew with the black piece on top board. In my own game I had the white side of a Slav defence. My opponent, who was already behind in development, accepted a poisoned pawn (Qxb2). I succeeded in increasing the pressure on his position but probably missed the opportunity for a bigger advantage. Eventually I regained the pawn after an exchange of queens and we agreed a draw in a position of equal chances.
Possibly the travelling was a factor for this fixture but other boards had missed chances too. Graham Phythian was two pawns down in a double rook ending. However he had fantastic compensation in the form of active rooks harassing deeply into his opponent’s position combined with an advanced passed-pawn. Alas, the winning manoeuvre eluded him giving his opponent time to advance his extra pawns.
Jade Stirrup, Evan Wood, Julian Clissold and Cory Hazelhurst joined us for the first time this season. Julian and Cory both seemed to have won extra pawns in the respective games which they duly converted to wins.
Dave Pardoe had the white side of an Albin Counter Gambit with both sides were fighting for the initiative. Dave secured more space and chances for the advantage in the middlegame. Eventually exchanges led to an unbalanced and complicated ending with Black having RB+6P vs White’s 2R+4P. The position probably offered equal chances but unfortunately Dave found a way to place his King in a mating net.
Warkwickshire’s greater strength on the day showed through eventually amassing an 11-5 victory. Overall an interested match pointed with the inevitable disappointment of missed opportunities for the individuals concerned. Many thanks again to everyone involved and in particular the drivers.
The next match is coming up on March 20th. We’re playing Notts and a half-way venue has been arranged at Newcastle-under-Lyme Bridge Club, Staffs. We’re recruiting now for players so please get in touch if you’re interested in playing or know anyone else who might be.
Best Regards,
Jon Lonsdale 01204-406133 07980-604302

Midland Counties Chess Union U160 Championship 2009/10
Board	WARWICKSHIRE	Grade	Score	Score	Grade	GTR MANCHESTER
1	(W)R REYNOLDS	159	½	½	159	A BERESFORD
2	C SMITH	159	½	½	157	J LONSDALE
3	D LEE	155	1	0	153	A WILKINSON
4	P BULL	150	1	0	151	D PARDOE
5	A SADLER	150	1	0	146	P KING
6	J TURNER	150	0	1	145	C HAZLEHURST
7	M TALLIS	150	0	1	145	J CLISSOLD
8	J FAHY	147	½	½	143	D KIERMAN
9	L RAWSON	147	½	½	141	J NICOLSON
10	J ASBURY	143	1	0	137	G PHYTHIAN
11	D BACKHOUSE	142	1	0	134	J STIRRUP
12	A BURNET	140	1	0	131e	M CONSTANTINE
13	A WILSON	137	½	½	130	E WOOD
14	M BIDDLE	136	½	½	129	L MOORE
15	C PITT	131	1	0	119	H BROOKS
16	D BRELSFORTH	138	1	0		DEFAULT
	Average grade	147	11	5	141	Average grade

MCCU U160 Championship

March 20th 2010

Venue: Staffs

Match scoresheet: Nottinghamshire v Gtr. Manchester

In the final match of the season Gtr Manchester competed against Notts. A halfway venue was arranged at the excellent Newcastle-under-Lyme Bridge Club. Gtr Manchester won the toss.
While the other top boards struggled, Steven Jones once again proved himself after a promotion to board 3 and a win against higher-rated opposition.
There were also good results on the lower boards including a win for Harry Brooks and draws for Ian Lamb and newcomer Howard Hughes (Chorlton) who were all appreciably out-graded.
In his first match for the U160s, Richard Fox (Bolton) rued his missed opportunity for an early advantage with the Black pieces in a sharp Benko Gambit variation.
Other games featured decisive results in the ending.
Dave Pardoe was 2 pawns adrift in win N+3Ps vs N+5Ps. Dave fancied his drawing chances (presumably because of the presence of his opponent’s isolated doubled rook-pawns) but eventually had to admit defeat.
Damian McCarthy was on the defensive with Black in the Sicilian. His opponent built up a good attack but the winning tactics eluded him. When the smoke cleared Damian emerged with the advantage (having a more active king) in a rook and multiple pawn ending. Eventually an outside-passed pawn was secured and with it, victory.
Both sides had some challenges with late withdrawals so the match was played over 15 boards. It was a tightly contested match with Notts eventually edging out a win: 8-7.
Thanks again to everyone who has participated this season, especially the drivers. We do need a to get a few more people involved for next time so if you have any leads or recommendations they’d be most welcome.

Jon Lonsdale.