MxA vs. Lincolnshire - Match Report

DERAILED!

In its long history of county chess Lincolnshire is a side Mx have rarely met. In fact the two sides met for the one and only time in the SF of the Minor Counties Championship in the 2009-10 cycle. Now for a county that has lifted the Open title for a record 29 times it is surprising to hear that they play a team in the minor counties competition. The particular cycle in question was the 2nd time Mx have 'graced' the minors the first being in 1993-94. Then the rules allowed a county to participate in the Minor if they had not competed in the Open for the previous 5years present year included. Despite their history the early 1990's was one of a few barren periods the county had consequently they played in Minor defeating Surrey (!!) in the final. Needless to say Mx's entry and victory caused a furore which led to a change in the rules culminating in the ones currently in use - a minor team is to average 180 or below. It is odd that the focus was solely on Mx as Surrey historically were a powerhouse in the SCCU if not the National Stage but the attention was squarely, possibly unfairly, placed on Mx. If at the time Mx were a minor county so be it; a county should not be held hostage by its past feats; as they say in business world, 'Past performance is no guarantee of current and future performance!' Furthermore if the rules allowed one former powerhouse to qualify as a  minor then why shouldn't another? In short respect the rules.

The reason why Mx were in the minor competition in 2009-10 is due to the fact that the late 1990's and early noughties see another barren period not helped by the Executive's civil war in 1995. The 'war' effectively meant Mx's Open team did not participate in county competition for the best part of a decade 1995-2007. A punt was made for period 1999-2001 but the base was so low it proved difficult raising teams let alone ones that were truly representative of Mx's strength and history. This is something your author will return to when providing statistics on player performance. When Mx return in 2007 the base is again low so although their return sees them play Lancashire in Open final at first time of asking it was by chance. They were elevated from Minor to Open and punched above their weight. The proof they were a minor county is what happened in following years culminating with playing Lincolnshire in the aforementioned cycle.

If there is one thing that Mx's participation in minor competition highlights is that there still is no satisfactory definition of a minor county! In fact is there such a thing as a minor county? Strong counties? Yes! Weak counties? Yes! But 'Minor' county? The SCCU wrangled with this issue from 1923 through to 1972 as they created various competitions to allow their weaker counties to compete for honours. Is this what really constitutes a minor county? The ability to win some kind of trophy once the big boys have walked away with theirs? In this increasingly secular age what of survival of the fittest? Evolution? In 1972 the SCCU ultimately decide that an Open team is just that, namely a team who fields their strongest line-up and some may find that they are outclassed. It is not a question of, 'Should we win something?' Unfortunately, it is this question which drives many counties as when one reviews their line-ups in regional competition many do field decent teams (190+) however they are not willing to test the mettle of this line-up at National stage of competition choosing to opt for the 'Minor' or should that be running scared? In many sports there are teams, individuals who have dominated but it has not stopped others challenging or the odd surprise manifest think Leicester City Football Club winning the Premiership in 2016, Wimbledon defeating Liverpool in 1988 FA Cup Final and many other examples. In chess terms it seems that many shy from the challenge or do not think a surprise can happen. Has the time come when the ECF should follow the SCCU example and do away with the minor so that both Open and u180 benefit from counties who opt for a so-called minor competition instead of participating in one or other competition? Notwithstanding Mx has regained some of its pomp as demonstrated by lifting the SCCU title for a record 38th time just before COVID-19 kicked in preventing them from launching a bid to secure the Lowenthal Trophy for a record 30th time!

History aside the timing of their match in the online version of the county championship pitted 2nd (MxA) vs. 1st (Lincolnshire) in Open Division 1A table. Lincolnshire sat top by virtue of greater game points however had the results of the aborted round group stood MxA would have found themselves top of the pile! Notwithstanding from a MxA perspective having despatched both Yorkshire and Devon in consecutive rounds it was better to be playing a tough competitor as it meant they could not afford to take their foot off the accelerator. From a Lincolnshire perspective they would welcome the match since it would be an opportunity to ramp up their campaign. To date MxA have had a testing time and would again, Lincolnshire find they have the reverse in that the end of their campaign sees them have a tough run-in, MxA, Yorkshire then Devon to finish. Lincolnshire then would have to pull out all the stops if they wished to qualify for the SF of the Open competition. If they beat MxA they would send a serious message not only to their following opponents but to all Open participants in general!

When looking at the respective line-ups Lincolnshire clearly had pulled out all the stops, Prior to the MxA match they had been steadily averaging 187 (including aborted match) however for MxA they averaged 198 a significant increase. Now how, do you ask, does a team increase by an average of 10grading points within the space of 4matches? Quite simply by recruiting a GM and IM! Yes once again Tanmay finds himself up against another GM this time in the guise of Matthew Turner. Coupled with the recruitment of Chris Dorrington (Bd2) Lincolnshire had an appreciable boost at the top of their order. Now it may be that the name of Mx and/or the performance of MxA to date proved a draw to the aforementioned, it is interesting to note that the aborted round pitted Devon vs. Lincolnshire so an Arkell vs. Turner match could have been envisaged then! Will the pair be there at the end of the group stage when the match replayed? Time will tell. Alternatively, these individuals were always in the wings waiting to be pulled out at the appropriate time and clearly the MxA match was the time. Lincolnshire pulled a rabbit out of the hat as and not many would have not foreseen this move. Irrespective of the move the teams were evenly matched as MxA maintained their 190+ average (197). The forecast being a close encounter was on the cards, yes Lincolnshire may have an edge at the top but this was offset by Mx edge on the bottom. Par score 6-6

Before moving onto the match report proper the following comment must be made. This match is of note again not because of the result but line-up. Like Devon, Lincolnshire had a serious recruitment drive possibly in preparation for their hard run-in. Tanmay having played Keith Arkell in the previous round had an even tougher ask when playing Matthew Turner. With Han Yichen (Northumberland), Bodgan Lalic (Surrey), Paul Littlewood and Neelotpal Das (Cheshire and NW), and Jack Rudd (Somerset), The competition has struck a chord with some of the country's strongest and talented players. With Devon and Lincolnshire recruiting heavy hitters the perennial question is posed to Mx namely when will our big guns come out to play? This is not to be disrespectful to Tanmay who is having a great competition or to Richard Bates who has been and continues to be a fantastic servant for the county but there must be times when both think they wouldn't mind playing a few boards lower down the order if could give way to stronger players! Which player on occasion does not think this when playing team event as it benefits the team overall? Until the big guns decide to come out to play, Mx will rely and continue to rely on their depth so view stronger players as the icing on the cake. Big hitters or no the squads whether this be the physical or online versions have done spectacularly well without them and long may their success persist. 

Now the reader may be thinking, 'I thought this was a match report so when are we going to hear about the games and how the match unfolded as what usually happens?' The author gives a lengthy preamble by way of distraction as there was not much to write home about. Lincolnshire's selection of Turner and Dorrington made a decisive difference. Granted both Tom and Tanmay secured draws so it could be argued that the gamble to try and win on top two boards did not pay off, their presence though meant all their other players shifted down two boards and this had a significant impact for Lincolnshire. Apart from the draws for Tom and Tanmay the other MxA highlights are wins for Rick and John along with draws for Andrew and Nev. In short MxA put up a valiant fight but ultimately fall due to this one minor change to the Lincolnshire line-up. What would the effect be if Mx could do likewise? Mx lose 4-8.

Unlucky guys! Despite the disappointing defeat a bright spot from the match is that Tanmay has played consecutive GM's and attained draws this bodes well for his future in chess! From a selfish view for Mx also!

The match game links are given here for your review.

Bd1 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5168995106

Bd2 https://www.chess.com/live#g=5169011295

Bd3 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169003036

Bd4 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169028731

Bd5 https://www.chess.com/live#g=5169004675

Bd6 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169012515

Bd7 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5168997404

Bd8 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169008686

Bd9 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169015311

Bd10 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169013166

Bd11 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169004061

Bd12 https://www.chess.com/live/game/5169035373

Other results:

Cheshire & North Wales vs. Leicestershire Cheshire & NW win 8-4

Devon vs. Yorkshire Devon win 7-5

League table

For full match results see here

MxA sit comfortable in 2nd with Devon and Yorkshire chasing hard on their heels. Note Mx ahead of Devon based on head to head record. Mx have two perceived easy matches to finish their campaign as they play Leicestershire and Cheshire & NW in successive weeks although the latter has done some recruiting of stronger players themselves. MxA retain hopes of finishing top as they look to their nearest rivals to assist them. Both play Lincolnshire and need results to not only secure a KO berth but to maintain any slim hopes of finishing in one of the top two positions. Still all to play for.

Next fixture 25th July:

MxA vs. Leicestershire

Cheshire & North Wales vs, Devon

Lincolnshire vs. Yorkshire

Before bring this report to an end it was stated in Devon match report that player performance would be added. Your author therefore must be true to his word!

In the physical version of county chess Mx's Open players vie for the Martin Blaine Best Performance Cup (MBBPC). The u180 similarly compete for the eponymously named George Dickson Shield (GDS). The MBBPC  was instituted in 1974 as the then Mx Open Captain Frank Batchelor had found it nigh impossible to get teams of representative strength for away matches. This lack meant that Mx failed to win any trophy of note. Frank expressed his dissatisfaction and as a result a weighted competition was introduced. Players would accumulate points for representing team and scoring positive results (Wins/Draws). The player with most points won cup. By doing this Mx began to get truly representative teams to turn out which the next Mx Captain, Dave Foley-Comer benefitted. Under his stewardship Mx lifted numerous SCCU and National titles but even more impressive was the undefeated streak they established. The MBBPC has undergone some revisions to allow for the developments in county chess but when reintroduced after Mx's return to top-flight chess in 2007 modern Mx players demonstrate they are as fiercely competitive for the internal trophy as they are for external ones! Although there is no trophy to play for it is worth keeping track of player performance as the top performing player will at least have bragging rights! The GDS competition mirrors the MBT. The leading positions are:

1st Tom 2.5/3

2nd = Mirek/John/Tanmay 2/3

5th Simon 1.5/3

6th = Rick/Andrew (Stone) 1/3

Solid performances by the team considering three tough matches played.