MxA vs. Devon - Match Report

Before providing match report it must be remembered that had COVID-19 not occurred the 4th July would have been Finals Day for the physical version of the County Championship. Yorkshire were crowned 100th Champion in 2019 so the 2020 champion would have been the first for the onset of the competition's second century. It is hoped that physical chess returns sooner rather than later. In the meantime let's enjoy the new venture instituted by the ECF.

Mx have an illustrious record in county competition having played 28 of the 39 historic counties, other counties would be hard pressed to match this number. The beauty of the Online County Championship is that Mx are able to add to this number as they are able to compete against counties they have never played before e.g. Northumberland (6th June) and Cheshire and North Wales (13th June rearranged to 1st August due to well-publicised problems!) or to renew hostilities with old foes e.g. Lincolnshire (18th July). The idea of renewing hostilities is most evident with MxA's encounter against Devon. Prior to Devon's departure to the WECU in 1957 the two were known to play each other on and off during the knock-out stage of the SCCU Championship. The last time the Open teams faced off was on 24th April 1959 in QF of National Stage. Mx emerged victorious (8.5-7.5) indicating a close encounter. The match on 4th July was the first time in over half a century that the two would face off once again. Pre-match indications suggested history would be repeated in that just as the last encounter a close match was on the cards. Devon's hopes of running Mx close were boosted as they were significantly stronger than their opening match against Leicestershire (team ave. 174) in the form of Keith Arkell. Devon clearly had an edge on the top of the order but with Mx having the edge in middle and tail could expect victory but they would definitely be hard pressed to maintain their 100% record. Mx team ave. 194 Devon team ave. 186 Par score Mx win 7-5.

When teams are fairly evenly matched it is unsurprising that it takes a while for the fireworks to ignite. The opening 5 matches were all drawn! Andrew (Stone), Colin, Tanmay, Simon and your author all secure solid draws. Of all of these draws Tanmay's must be the most notable. Here is a very promising and talented junior taking on an experienced grandmaster and obtains a draw. If you review the game analysis on chess.com Tanmay is given a rating of 96.6 as opposed to Keith's 95.8! If we seek a victory of any kind in the opening skirmishes Tanmay's better analysis than Keith's means Mx lead psychologically if not actually! Score tied 2.5-2.5

In order for the match to take off somebody needed to win as it would mean that one side or the other would have to take risks to level the match score else the advantage no matter how miniscule the scoreboard lead is, gives the winning team a boost, the so-called 12th man in footballing terms. The first much sought victory goes to Tom. Tom has had some creditable performances in this format of county chess including a draw against Northumberland Yichen Han. Northumberland seem to be on Mx's horizon as they are storming their division. Notwithstanding Tom plays a sharp game, who doesn't on occasion like playing with or against the Full Benoni! A series of tactical exchanges sees Tom emerge with a pawn. He continues to play sharply which eventually leads to two huge connected passed pawns. His opponent sees the futility of his position and resigns. The match has reached it's halfway stage and Mx eke ahead. Mx lead 3.5-2.5

Although halfway point reached the struggle is still in full force. Mx however stretch their lead as Mirek records a successive win. His opening knowledge proves superior to his opponent as once they enter into the early middlegame Mirek has a number of weaknesses which he exploits to emerge with positional advantage. His opponent fights back but a tactical exchange sacrifice gives Mirek the positional advantage once again which he fully exploits. In short order having been an exchange down he is a piece up. Once he has the material advantage it is not long before this is converted to a Mx win. Mx have some breathing space but a Devon fightback can be counted on. With Devon being stronger than expected and their next match against Yorkshire if they could get anything out of the Mx game they could look forward with great confidence against the Tykes! Mx lead 4.5-2.5

Any hopes of a Devon recovery are put to bed as Mx win 2 of the next 3 games to finish so cross the finishing line. Yogit who had been playing top board for MxB had been elevated to MxA as had Colin. Yogit had obtained a creditable draw against Gloucestershire's Michael Ashworth (198ECF) and he continued this great form with a win for MxA. He once again plays a sharp game, loses material but launches a stunning comeback. It is maybe unfortunate that his opponent makes a blunder at the end of the game no doubt engendered by time trouble but the position was looking dire. Steve also records a win for the team. before commenting on his game it must be acknowledged that Steve has been on standby for games. It is testimony to Mx that we have a squad of such size that we would prefer matches played over standard 16boards. The reduction to 12 benefits our opponents as playing field levelled. Notwithstanding Steve has been on the sidelines waiting for his chance and when it came he performed! Steve's calm and patient play sees him first establish a positional advantage which is turned into a material one. By applying the screws his opponent capitulates. Steve's win takes Mx over the winning thereby maintaining their 100% record in the group. Mx lead 6.5-3.5

The remaining games are academic but having won the opening match against Yorkshire 7-5, it would be nice to emulate or beat that score. Etan who has returned to chess after a bit of a break secures a draw. One thing of note is that Etan has yet to have White! There would be very few players who could say that in all the matches they have played with the same colours, this includes the aborted match on 13th June, Your author and captain will review allocation of colours for next match and ensure there is some redress! Jonathan certainly had the idea of trying to beat the Yorkshire score as by trying to convert a R+P ending he gave up a guaranteed draw! The hazards of not being able to observe games and just rely on ECF LMS. There is a long lag of inputting of results. By being unable to check the positions of the remaining games he was unsure whether a draw would have benefitted the team and by the time results were input he had already made a fatal decision. It was a pity but by the time he had finished the match had been won even if it was by a nose! Mx win 7-5

Well done guys on recording a successive win (technically 3 wins but of course Cheshire & North Wales discounted!) It is now possible to breathe easier as the team edge yet another close one.

The game's url's are provided for you to review at your leisure.

Bd1. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100281547

Bd2. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100275566

Bd3. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100262654

Bd4. https://www.chess.com/live#g=5100277699

Bd5. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100256947

Bd6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100274241

Bd7. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100271137

Bd8. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100261703

Bd9. https://www.chess.com/live?#g=5100274080

Bd10. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100273746

Bd11. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100303619

Bd12. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100290436

Other results:

Cheshire & North Wales vs. Yorkshire Yorkshire win 7-5

Leicestershire vs. Lincolnshire Lincolnshire win 8-4

The Cheshire & North Wales result is of interest as it would appear that they have done some serious recruiting. When Mx played them in the aborted match on 13th June they tailed of quite significantly but they seemed to have stiffened their middle maybe not enough to challenge Mx but certainly strong enough to run Yorkshire ragged. Will have to keep an eye on their next few games as of course Mx replay on 1st August!

League Standings:

See full results here

Middlesex have had 2 challenging encounters and come through them both.  However any thought they can start to relax is given short shrift as they face a 3rd consecutive one against Lincolnshire on 18th July. Another battle of teams at top of table. Should Mx successfully navigate this match their place in the knock-out stage is assured and they can start to think about winning the group outright!

Next Round 18th July

MxA vs. Lincolnshire

Cheshire & North Wales vs. Leicestershire

Devon vs. Yorkshire

Next match report will see player performance added.