Mxu1825 vs. Oxfordshire - Match Report

So close but yet so far!

The Greek myth of Tantalus is a fascinating one. He was punished for committing numerous crimes against the Gods including gossiping about the banquets he had attended, stealing ambrosia and nectar but his worst crime was to serve his dead son's body to the Gods when he was asked to host a banquet. For crimes of infanticide and cannibalism Tantalus was sentenced to stand in a lake of water with a fruit orchard above his head. Not much of a punishment you may say but every time he leaned forward to drink from the lake it would ebb away and each time he reached for the fruit the wind would blow the branches away. He was thus tormented with hunger and thirst and he was close enough to sate both but far enough away so that neither could be achieved. Hence the word tantalising; to be so close to achieving something but to just fail. This myth will become apparent when reviewing the exploits of Mxu1825 in their penultimate match against Oxfordshire.

The u1825 competition is an interesting one as it effectively combines all of the competitions below u150 namely u140, u120 and u100 or in old money combines u150, u125 and u100. Now you may think this is a novel idea by the ECF Controller but from an SCCU perspective he is just following their example! In 1972 the SCCU conducted a comprehensive review of their competitions. From 1972 until the introduction of grading bands in 1992 their county teams competed in divisions - D1 = Open, D2 = Minor Counties 1st Teams / Strong Counties 2nd Teams, D3 = 3rd Teams and D4 = 4th Teams. During this period promotion and relegation operation so there was the unusual situation when Minor Counties 1st teams played in D3 e.g. Suffolk 1975-76! Now you can see why grading bands introduced! Despite the growth of chess in the 1970's in part helped by the Fischer vs. Spassky World Chess Championship matches the SCCU lower divisions were in crisis. Counties outside of London found it nigh impossible to compete so they created their own leagues these being the Chiltern League and East Anglian League. With so few teams in operation the 1980's see the SCCU take the practical decision to merge D3 and D4 which meant 3rd and 4th teams competed against each other if not necessarily as one team.  Even though 3rd and 4th teams effectively compete as one team the average of a team indicates whether they are a 3rd or 4th team.

History aside the online pairing between Mxu1825 and Oxfordshire u1825 is the first time ever the two teams had met at this level. Mx's 3rd team played Oxfordshire's 2nd team in 1972-73 when Oxfordshire's 2nd team played in D3. They even played Oxfordshire's 1st team for period 1973-75 as the 1st team had been relegated to D3! Unsurprisingly Mx 3rd did badly against Oxfordshire's 1st team! However they attained victory against the 2nd. It could be argued that as Mx's 3rd team goes down the Oxfordshire teams they win so with Mxu1825 (effectively Mx 3rd) playing Oxfordshire's u1825 (likewise effectively Oxfordshire's 3rd) would we expect a Mx victory? On paper the answer is yes as Mx averaged 120 as opposed to Oxfordshire's 109. This would suggest a Mx win. Par score 8-4.

The match got off to a cracking start as Michael recorded the first win which was followed by Nadim and Keith. Mx were 3-up in short order. When Laith, David and Jonathan all followed suit Mx were just short of victory after 1.5hours play, What was beginning to be noticeable is that half of the match completed and Mx had yet to drop any points. Were the team on the verge of doing something great? When looking at matches played over 12 board the greatest margins of victory in the competition so far were Devon vs. Leicestershire, Norfolk vs. Essex (both Open) & Mx vs. Essex (u1825) 8.5-3.5; Cheshire & NW vs. Leicestershire, Greater Manchester vs, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire (both Open) 9-3; MxB vs Gloucestershire (Open), Northumberland vs. Norfolk (u1825) 9.5-2.5; Northumberland vs. Surrey (Open) 10-2 and finally Lincolnshire vs. Leicestershire 10.5-1.5 (u1825). With half of the games remaining some of these margins were well within range. Mx lead 6-0

The junior contingent for Mxu1825 have been making a positive contribution so when the next set of results come in they are all from the juniors. Julie, Kian and Roshan all continue their winning ways and it was great for Siena to get her first win. She has been very unlucky in games played so far so she got her just rewards. Mx attain another four wins so match clearly won. Two matches left and with score standing at 10-0 Mxu1825 would be at least equalling Northumberland's score. However could the team push on and match or exceed Lincolnshire? Mx lead 10-0

Now it must be commented that of the two remaining games Habibur was the last to start. He had not received challenge nor was his accepted so he was on verge of claiming default when it was announced that he would be playing after all. His game started a full hour later than everyone so even if Steve avoided defeat on Bd2 it would be some time before final score would be known. Mx's magnificent run continues as Steve as expected collected another point for the team. Mxu1825 have done it they will record the highest margin of victory but could they achieve a rare feat a whitewash? Traditionally when a county scores 'Nul point' it is because a match is scratched. Your author would have to do some serious research to find an over the board whitewash but is sure at some stage it has been done. Habibur finally sends the result and reports that he had lost. His comment does not understand the import of his defeat. When he discovers he could have made online county championship history he states, "I was in really good position of the game till 34th move. At 35th move, I have moved my rook which supposed to be Rd2, but my mouse slipped at Rd3. And my whole game as well. I am sorry because of me Mx was unable to whitewash them." One minor slip and with it a potential moment of history. So close but yet so far! Mx win 11-1.

A fantastic effort by the team and one that should be applauded by all who become aware of the result. The words of the Oxfordshire captain probably speaks more volume than anything your author can write, "Yes our U1825 were humiliated."

Full match results see here

The games links are given for your perusal:

Bd1. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203122380
Bd2. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203119853
Bd3. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203308781
Bd4. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203108304
Bd5. https://www.chess.com/live#g=5203119374

Bd6. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203136330
Bd7. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203122817
Bd8. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203123533
Bd9. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203137569
Bd10. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203134115
Bd11. https://www.chess.com/live/game/5203556895
Bd12. https://www.chess.com/analysis/game/live/5203113321?tab=report

Other results:

Essex vs. Surrey Essex win 9-3

League table

Middlesex not only top the group but win it with a game to spare. Middlesex's final group match is against Surrey who are propping up the table. The match between Essex and Oxfordshire is a shoot-out for second place. Middlesex's semi-final opponent is already know they will be facing Lincolnshire. Although group already won Mxu1825 still have a lot to play for namely a grand slam! Should they beat Surrey they enter the KO phase in ebullient mood!

Next fixture 1st August

Mxu1825 vs. Surrey

Essex vs. Oxfordshire