Match Report: 19/12/24
Thursday 19/12/24
Eccles 6 – 0 Altrincham
Match Card: https://lms.englishchess.org.uk/lms/fixture/73118
MCF – A Division
Here it is, the last match report 2024 for both Eccles and Altrincham.
Everyone enjoyed their games whether having won or lost – winning is always preferred over losing but learning how to lose honourably in defeat is how we best grow and develop. “Losing is Learning”
The Altrincham team and captain Reg Clucas are absolutely FAB!! Altrincham have always liked playing chess at our lovely home match venue and team Eccles are so pleased that they do as it’s so much quieter than the potentially noisy high street venue that some captains, for unknown reasons prefer?
On the night of the match everyone turned up in good spirits ready and eager to start playing. So much so that when I went into the playing area to give my usual introductory talk the games were already underway, I was not best pleased to say the least!!
Returning to the analysing room in preparation for the celebratory Christmas fare of warm mulled wine and mince pies served with clotted cream I spied captain Dave Toole helping himself to refreshments, Dave said, “right lass, are you ready to get the match started,?’ I replied, “you must be joking, they’ve already hit the clocks and half of the players don’t know where the loos are, nevermind anything else?,”and with that he shot off like a bullet out of a gun.
In a state of bemusement I went about my business of warming the mulled wine and mince pies that were about to be served. Non of the players knew of this as it was too late to say what awaited them after their game’s had ended. Not to mention reminding the players to turn their phones off, where the spare pens, pieces and score sheets were located, what time the clocks were set for, what to do when their games were over, where to go in case of a fire or to get some fresh air or to stretch their legs. I then had to prepare myself for anything that might happen.
So there I was poised like a praying mantis just in case someone got lost looking for the loo etc…
As a matter of fact, apart from a couple of people wandering around looking for the loo and finding a player strutting about the kitchen stretching their legs I thought the event went smoothly considering not having done my usual pep talk before the match.
On this occasion I preferred not to know the result of the match until all the games were finished.
So, off I went mincing into the playing area as it was obvious the match was over due to the chunnering. The Eccles Captain Dave Toole was hovering around talking about the evening’s games and upon seeing me he announced the Christmas fare awaiting in the analysing room. The playing area quickly emptied apart from Reg. I asked, “What’s the Scores on the Doors Reg”? 6-0 to Eccles he replied, and with that I gave him a big hug and we had a right good old chin wag…
Eventually Reg and I finished our conversation which resulted in a positive and constructive discussion. We then said our goodbye’s and parted company.
Now it was time to mingle.
The analysing room in the basement was buzzing with activity. Eccles player Ali Jaunooby had brought some surprise hotdog sausages and with that I put on Aunty Barbara’s apron (again) and made some very welcomed heavenly hotdogs, they were that good that some players had three of them (yum yums all round).
I was once told by Eccles player and captain of the Manchester 4NCL Woodpushers teams Aidan Rawlinson that a way to keep hold of a good chess player is to make them feel welcome and provide refreshments, I soon found out that his words rang true, hence allways offering free refreshments to all who play in league matches at my home venue but unfortunately I cannot offer this kind of hospitality at the high street venue. This is another reason why I can’t understand why some captains don’t want to play at my home venue instead of the one on the noisy high street.
After sharing Christmas Salutations everyone went home happy which made me feel the same way.
The last Eccles Community Chess Club league match of 2024 has now been played resulting in an excellent year of participation and enjoyment.
Tonight is New Year’s Eve and may 2025 be another great year of chess filled with surprises, achievements and most of all, pure enjoyment!
Man of the Match: Mike Surtees. (Link to images) https://barbarabennettphotography.pixieset.com/mikesurtees/
I would like to think we all know a Mike and this was his game.
Analysis: by Eccles player James Buckley.
A brilliant example of Mike Surtees’ famous “Revolutionary Opening Theory”. His opening set up starting with 3…f6 provokes white to launch an all out attack with 5. Nxe5. Black’s king comes under heavy pressure, but true to the principles of Revolutionary Opening Theory, his pieces are well developed to withstand the storm. Black has a material advantage resulting from white’s aggressive opening play and he makes no mistake forcing home his advantage in the endgame.
Thanks James for your insight and see you in the NEW YEAR!!
Next Match: 07/01/25
Monday 06/01/25: Ladies, Learners & Chess Coaches
Wednesday 08/01/25: Chess is Fun for Everyone with Friendly or rated RapidPlay games.
Thanks for reading My Chess Journal (from a woman’s point of view) by: Barbara Farrar