It was an historic match for Battersea Chess Club - not only did we avoid relegation, we fielded the strongest team in our history. Here is Battersea 2's Central London League captain Emil Todorow on the star-studded night we turned out two of England's finest GMs and an IM.
I am pleased to report, that our relentless effort to avoid relegation culminated in a success by our win against HMC2 with a score 4 : 1.
With two GM’s and one IM, it was a formidable lineup prompting someone I overheard saying “A 2700 just came in…”.
It astonished some but their captain generously in his brief report was pleased that we have managed to attract GM’s to play in this league.
I expected a walk over but it didn’t turn out to be.
It was a closely contested match, not reflected in the score.In anticipation of our line up, they fielded a reasonably strong team with their board 1 being 236. As the match progressed, I had the opportunity to keep an eye on the games.
On board 1 David Howell seized the initiative with the black pieces and gained a pawn.
He was a pawn up for most of the game but his opponent defended very well. Pieces were exchanged leading to a rook and pawn ending.
The extra rook’s pawn proved to be not enough for Howell to win and eventually, after swapping rooks off leading to a stale mate.
Howell humorously gave his remaining pawn followed by a burst of laughter and clapping by the watching crowd. On board 2 Simon Williams had a strong attack against one of our former players , sacrificing a piece.
It looked to me a certain win for us but for some inexplicable reason, he held back, choosing to build more pressure and the attack somehow died out. With 1.20 min. left on his opponent’s clock, he surprisingly, or may be sportingly offered a draw which was gladly accepted.
On board 3 Gavin Wall overwhelmed his 199 opponent in quite an emphatic way with the black pieces winning material in the latter middle game.
On board 4 in my opinion, the most exciting and crucial for us game took place. Blair O’Connell was in some difficulties with the white pieces.
He kept defending accurately. Suddenly, when he was under a threat of mate in one, he exploded in a magnificent sequence of moves involving a piece sacrifice that led to his opponent demise.
That was imaginative and simply magic. On Board 5 Aldo Camilleri had a reasonable position but his opponent went on a wild goose chase and in a tactical melee lost the exchange and subsequently, the game.
I would like to thank all the players taking part for their loyalty and reliability. Special thanks to Aldo for his assistance in my captaincy and for his positive encouragement.
I am looking forward to an improved performance in the next season.
Emil.
