Preston 3 V Lytham 2

Press / Admin Comment

At last. After all the months of lockdown OTB league chess returns to Preston Chess Club. A good match against Lytham 2 with both teams fielding some new and fairly new names. On Board 1 though it was two old campaigners. No surprise that Dave employed a gambit (Morra) but fearless Kenny took the pawn and then got the better of the opening, saddling white with double isolated e pawns, one of which black won. Despite white`s efforts to generate some attacking play, it was never enough and the extra pawn told in the endgame. On Board 2 there was a level interesting opening but the game was effectively over when white lost a rook and although Andrew valiantly fought on, Darren never let it slip. On Board 3 Colin survived a dubious opening line (Danish Gambit?) and eventually a materially equal pawn endgame ensued. Possibly with best play it should have been drawn but Seb made better active use of his king and secured the win. Board 4 was in my opinion the best game of the match, bottom board but good quality chess. Danny`s queen went on an early excursion to grab a pawn but the time this took allowed Andrei to build pressure particularly against white`s d3 pawn. White defended the position coolly for several critical moves and then freed his position with d4 push. A queen endgame came about and white`s extra pawn and active queen proved decisive, although did black miss a chance of perpetual check ?

geoff pennington