Mxu1825 - Match Report
CRUSHED!
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 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.
Mxu1825's online campaign has been delayed due the well-publicised cancellation of opening round of matches on 13th June. Players at the top of the order have been able to keep their eye in as a number had played in MxB's opening victory against Gloucestershire on 20th June. The time had now come for the team to stand up and be counted in their own competition beginning with their encounter against Essex. Matches against Essex are not new so the rivalry between the two has transferred from the physical arena to the virtual one. Furthermore matches between the two in the physical realm tend to be close and so it would seem in the virtual one as well. The teams were equally matched even after a late change to the Mx line-up: Mx team ave. 111 Essex team ave. 112 Par score 6.5-6.5.
A close encounter was predicted and it seemed it was going to be the case after an early exchange of wins between the teams. Unfortunately for Essex it would be sometime before they would collect another point. Habibur got the team off to the perfect start by racking up the opening win. It is soon cancelled but within short order Mx not only regain the lead but extend it. Laith restores the lead after his opponent makes opening blunder, Nadim a late replacement is glad of his call up and he repays the confidence placed in him by securing Mx's third win. Julie likewise records her maiden win in online competition. She will admit she had a weak game in preparatory week and never got to play in the aborted round. Mx lead 4-1.
Online debutant and Mx u160 captain Keith along with Mx u140 captain Evan both draw in next 2 games to finish which finally see Essex break the appalling series of result. This would seem to suggest a rally from Essex but this is soon put to bed as Kian and Roshan have back to back wins that sees Mx over the winning line with 4 games left to play. Mx lead 7-2.
Mx collect 2.5 points from the remaining games as Steve and David attain wins coupled with Inga's draw. Put simply a match that was expecting to be tight proved to be anything but as Mx crushed Essex into dust. When looking at the symbols for the respective counties they are remarkably similar 3 cutlasses on a field of red. However there is a once distinct difference, Middlesex's symbol has a crown over its' cutlasses. When counties are put to the sword in such a devastating way it is understandable why Mx has the crown and Essex do not! Mx win 9.5-3.5
Well guys on a comprehensive victory and joining MxA and MxB in winning opening match of campaign. Not too many counties can say two of their teams won opening county however none but Mx can say they won their opening three!
The game's url's are provided for you to review at your leisure.
Bd1, https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100269134
Bd2, https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100253508
Bd3. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100258658
Bd4. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100256143
Bd5. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100274510
Bd6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100270615
Bd7. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100253233
Bd8. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100303013
Bd9. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100258912
Bd10. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100308658
Bd11. https://www.chess.com/live?#g=5100263936
Bd12. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100261081
Bd13. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5100260889
Other results:
Oxfordshire vs. Surrey Oxfordshire lead 6.5-4.5 1 game submitted for adjudication
League Standings:
| Position | County | MP | GP |
| 1 | Middlesex | 1 | 9.5 |
| 2 | Oxfordshire | 1 | 6.5 |
| 3 | Surrey | 0 | 4.5 |
| 4 | Essex | 0 | 3.5 |
See full results here
Mxu1825 emulate their senior counterparts and win the opening match of their campaign. Their next match is a top of the table clash against Oxfordshire. It is safe to say whomsoever wins that clash is pretty much assured of finishing in one of the top two spots and progressing onto the elite competition for counties at this level.
Next Round 25th July
MxB vs. Oxfordshire
Essex vs Surrey
