MxB vs. Oxfordshire - 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 champions would be 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.

MxB had a fantastic start to their campaign having defeated Gloucestershire by a handsome margin. Victories such as this are heavily dependent on MxB being able to field their strongest team which means avoiding floating too many players up to MxA. In the event this happens the playing field is significantly levelled for their opponents and this was evident in their second encounter against Oxfordshire. Mx's 2nd team last played Oxfordshire's 1st in the 1989-90 season. Up to and including this date the 2nd's had a decent record suggesting that an Oxfordshire 1st team held no fears as the two were at least equal. Even though much water had passed since the last encounter Oxfordshire, on paper at least, is what you would consider a genuine Minor 1st team as their line-up is fairly balanced being comprised of average to strong players. With MxB having to float Colin and Yogit to MxA and missing a few others their line up was fully comprised of good players. The result being that the two teams were fairly level Oxfordshire having an edge at the top of the order with Mx in the middle and at the bottom. Thus the age of question was posed which team is better a minor counties first team or a strong counties second? History showed that quite often the second team proved to be the better but it was always a close run thing. Consequently, it was fitting that team averages showed the counties were even as in all likelihood this outcome of the match would determine who would be group winners. Should there be a winner it would mean bragging rights if the two were to meet again in the Final. However a while to go yet before thoughts of repeat contest. Mx team ave: 162 Oxfordshire team average: 163 Par score 6-6. 

The match got off to an odd start in that there was no sight of Oxfordshire's Bd10! The Oxfordshire captain had not realised that he had given incorrect username so Bill had a torrid time trying to Friend him, Worse was to follow as being B10 he was expecting to receive a challenge however 6:30pm had come and gone but no challenge. Luckily Bill received correct username so issues a challenge but no response. At the appointed time the Arbiter awards Mx a default win. Now you would this is the end of the matter Mx take an early lead in an important match but no there is a twist! Well all good films, books, plays, operas, and sporting events are never complete without one. Some 45minutes after the start time Bill's opponent comes online to play. Bill does the gentlemanly thing and plays a game. We have all turned up at matches wanting to play only to be let down by our opponent who fails to attend so Bill wanting to play agrees. Your author will advise in due course how it affected the match. Mx's expected lead is wiped out firstly by the belated  appearance of Bill's opponent and then 2 defeats in the opening 3 games. First blood to Oxfordshire and the titanic struggle is underway. Mx trail 0.5-2.5

When teams are evenly matched it is imperative that the team who leads does not get complacent and the team who trails holds their nerves. Had this match been contested between two similar line-ups, i.e. strong vs. strong, weak vs. weak, good vs. good etc you would expect the team who gains the early advantage to hold it. However, as stated this match posed the age of question of who is better minor counties first teams or strong counties second teams? Yes Oxfordshire gains an early lead but what of the rest of the team? Could they hold this early advantage? Or would Mx peg them back? Although trailing Mx do peg Oxfordshire back. Raghu attains the first win for Mx on the day. An exchange sacrifice sees him gain a huge queenside majority but the question is whether he would have enough to defend against a mating attack. He hold his nerve to the extent that he walks his king over to the queenside in part forced by a series of checks. Once king is secure on queenside he pushes through with his advanced pawn; having been an exchange down he wins it back, along with a rook and the game! His win is followed up by Nigel. Nigel himself admits he got lucky but as they say when they look at the records books the only result that will be shown is 1-0 to Nigel and Mx. Nigel's win level's the score. Mx had dug deep to even the score. Score tied 2.5-2.5

With just under half of the games completed the struggle for supremacy continues apace. The game reaches its' critical juncture with boards 1-3 having finished (1.5-1.5) any advantage that Oxfordshire had was slowly dissipating. With the exception of Manmay on Bd6 who is yielding 10 grading points the advantage was now swinging towards Mx. If Oxfordshire had any hopes of possibly winning or at least drawing the match they had to win on Bd6 and see if they could gain something elsewhere. Mx on the other hand now had to ensure they could press home their advantage. The next results to come in sees Mx finally attain the lead as collect 2 points. So having trailed by 1 they now lead by 1! Fraser's win once again levels the score with a sharp game. His opponent launches a kingside attack but Fraser ignores as his pawn majority on queenside should see him gain material beginning with the second queen he'd have on board. However before he can get there he must defend accurately against his opponent's attack. A classical defensive manoeuvre is to take advantage of advanced attacking pawns as they can be a hindrance to to the attacker, so although a pawn got to h7 it blocked the attack. Having defended accurately, Fraser turns to his attack and as expected does gain a second queen forcing immediate resignation. A nerve wracking finish to his game. Leon's win on Bd7 sees Mx gain the lead for the first time, a lead that was never to be relinquished. He gains a positional advantage which ironically is improved after giving up the exchange and he nurses it until he regains the exchange and more. Mx finally have their noses in front but the match has been nip and tuck to this point and could remain so to the end. Mx lead 4.5-3.5

Four games to go including the late start of Bill's game. One more win is chalked up to Mx when online county championship debutant Xavier records his maiden win. He plays a very strategic game which leads to giving up material which ironically gives him a stronger advantage. We have a deja vu moment, Raghu, Fraser, Leon and now Xavier all give up an exchange only to find an improvement to their positions! Middlesex now lead by 2 and are within touching distance of at least drawing the match. Tie-break would come into play should the teams be equal on match points at end of group stage. Thus consideration must always be given to board count and elimination if match drawn. Mx were ahead in both but it is always better though to obtain a win as much more clear cut. Any hope of Oxfordshire potentially winning match is extinguished as Manmay holds a comfortable draw. Mx reach the magic figure of 6 so can relax a bit knowing that match cannot be lost. However can it be won? Another online debutant Paul had tried to eke out a win but accurate defence from his opponent saw him accede to the draw. Mx now cannot lose as they reach the winning line. Mx lead 6.5-4.5

Your author hopes the reader has spotted an irony. Having expected to be the first to finish Bill in fact is the last to finish! Which raises a serious question about time control. Unfortunately, Bill's gentlemanly action backfires as he eventually loses to his opponent. Now the main question is not whether Bill should have played but what time control should have been played? Is it right that a player who attends a match 45minutes late therefore should expect a default is able to play a match with no penalty applied? In physical chess it is accepted practice that the player who has attended late loses time on their clock and plays the entire game with the remainder. Thus should this principle apply to online matches? Surely since Bill's opponent turned up late his clock should be set at 15/15 with Bill still having 60/15. If it is not possible to alter clocks then it should be automatic default and player discretion removed. You can be assured that the Mx captain will be taking this up with the Controller. Notwithstanding Mx had won match prior to Bill's result. Would your author be so gracious had Bill's game altered the outcome? Mx win 6.5-5.5

Well done guys! A heavy sigh of relief can be exhaled! The team were pushed all the way in marked comparison to their opening clash against Gloucestershire.

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

Bd1. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100266793

Bd2. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100266718

Bd3. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100267513

Bd4. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100280110

Bd5. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100266851

Bd6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100278352

Bd7. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100291158

Bd8. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100265426

Bd9. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100264104

Bd10. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100503238

Bd11. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100270738

Bd12. https://www.chess.com/live#g=5100274878

Other results:

Berkshire vs. Warwickshire Warwickshire win 7-5

Derbyshire vs. Gloucestershire Gloucestershire win 7.5-4.5

League Standings:

See full results here

Mx sit pretty atop the table having achieved a perfect record. With Oxfordshire put to the sword it remains to see if  the other counties can mount a serious challenge to derail Mx's hopes of achieving a grand slam. Considering the other counties have been taking points of each other it must be asked who will be able to knock Mx off their perch? Warwickshire will certainly give it a go when the two meet in the next round on the 18th July.

Next Round 18th July

MxB vs. Warwickshire

Berkshire vs. Derbyshire

Gloucestershire vs. Oxfordshire

In due course a cross table of player performance will be added to match report after the Warwickshire match.