MxA vs. Leicestershire - Match Report

Despite Leicestershire being a leading county in the MCCU contests against Mx have been somewhat rare. Ever since the institution of the County Championships (1908) the teams have only played each other five times in 100years of that competition. However what is they say, 'You wait for one bus and two come along!' Having not played Leicestershire since 1988-89 QF Mx not only played them in last year's QF but meet them for a successive time albeit in the online counties championship. Leicestershire have not been having the best of it as they currently prop up the table so a meeting against a team smarting from defeat to Lincolnshire and being surprised by not one but two counties in succession fielding a GM on top board did not bode well for a team on course for winning the wooden spoon. Middlesex would be seeking victory to massage their ego, take steps to improve their game points, secure a spot in the Open competition for the KO stage AND maintain a 100% record against Leicestershire. In short Leicestershire where facing a county with a point to prove. As expected the relative line-ups suggested that it was a mismatch (MxA team ave. 193, Leicestershire team ave, 151). Leicestershire's average was not helped bythe fact that they could only field a team of eleven so were going into an already tough match one down. MxA would be looking to match if not exceed Lincolnshire's performance against Leicestershire. Par score 12-0.

When a team is expected to win by a handsome margin it is not surprising that complacency kicks in and this was reinforced when Leicestershire defaulted a second board. With MxA already 2-up the intensity was not there so it proved to be the case when Steve records the first over the board victory. MxA already have a healthy lead and the question is not if win but by how much? Mx lead 3-0.

Any prospects of a whitewash was removed when Carsten secures a draw, soon followed by Colin. MxA were clearly focusing on getting to the winning line rather than margin of victory, a case of substance not style. Wins for Charlie and John break up the series of draws and the odd defeat. Mx win 7.5-2.5

The astute reader will note that the aggregate points are 11 not 12. Bd3 was void due to platform issues affecting the Mx player. Like the aborted round if there is platform instability no matter how few it will instil confidence to use it consistently on a grander scale. Notwithstanding a professional job undertaken by the team and another victory racked up. Well done guys. Mx are tantalisingly close to the KO but still have one more professional job to perform. Had there been no problems on 13th June MxA would have already qualified and potentially have been undefeated but the reality is they still have to look over their shoulder before being able to rest secure in the knowledge that qualification achieved.

Full match results see here

The games links are given for you to enjoy at your leisure

Bd1. Default win to Mx
Bd2. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203115258
Bd3. Void
Bd4. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203127957
Bd5. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203091247
Bd6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203169301
Bd7. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203217837
Bd8. https://www.chess.com/live?#g=5203176583

Bd9. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203102866
Bd10. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203131593
Bd11. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203215567
Bd12. Default win to Mx

Other results:

Cheshire & NW vs. Devon Match drawn 6-6

Lincolnshire vs. Yorkshire Lincolnshire win 9-3

League table

Due to Devon's draw Lincolnshire win group. Even if they lose to Devon in final round their superior head to head record against MxA means they are ahead. MxA therefore play for the runner-up spot with Devon as the sole team that could pip them to the position. It is unlikely as MxA play Cheshire & NW who since the abort round have recruited and as a result have been spirited fighters as demonstrated by their draw with Devon but MxA should still be favourites to win. This coupled with the fact that Lincolnshire will be looking to go through the group stage undefeated. Should MxA finish as expected as runner-up they will meet Northumberland who have stormed their group.

Next fixture 1st August:

MxA vs. Cheshire & North Wales

Devon vs. Lincolnshire

Leicestershire vs. Yorkshire

Player performance (min 3games):

1st J. Tennyson 3pts (4)

2nd T. Villiers 2pts (3)

3rd = S. Coles (3), T. Chopra (3), M. Walkusz (4) all 2pts

Tom still in top positions despite his absence for Leicestershire match, Tanmay denied top place due to Leicestershire default