The Luton C v Milton Keynes C in December was always going to be a tough match for the home side as we were out rated on every board by a more experienced and seasoned visiting team. Captain Des Welton team selection is a rotation to give everyone a chance to play serious chess, regardless of their strength. For this match, it was the turn of the junior prospects Qasim Zaidi and in his first league match, Riyaan Shahzad to join the seniors, Humayun Mirza, Richard Lewis and Andrew Pye. In order of finish, here's how events of the evening transpired.
Board 4: Andrew Pye (1266) 0.5-0.5 John McKeon (1459). Andrew found his form in his third match game for the club this evening against the solid John McKeon. The game reached a King and Pawns endgame with passers for both sides and respective Kings holding off any further advance. A draw was offered and and accepted. A good result for Andrew, given the rating disparity and a welcome half point for the team.
Board 1: Dave Wells (1653) 0.5-0.5 Humayun Mirza (1644). I've played Dave twice before, won one, lost one and so looked up my old scorebook to try and prepare for him. But that was 30 years ago so surely he wouldn't play the same openings as he did back then? Still, I studied the books and consulted with Luton board 1 Tommy O'Brien the weekend before the match. Only for David to deviate on move 2. I did my best to steer the game back on course, and played for an attack on the Kingside, but Dave had it all under control. Then, in an absurd turn of events, David heard the draw offer on board 4, thought that I had offered him a draw, and said he would accept a draw, which I mistook as his offering a draw and after shaking hands, that was that. The match was still even stevens.
Board 2: Richard Lewis (1745) 0-1 John McNamara (1593). It was difficult to know where to place Richard in the team order. since he only has a provisional rating in standard play, but iscurrently leading the club ladder competition in rapid play. In this game, he braved a piece sacrifice for an attack, which didn't work out and John was able to turn the material advantage into to a win. The home team was now trailing 1-2.
Board 4: Riyaan Shahzad (1424) 0-1 Michael Page (1424). This was Riyaan's first ever league game against a vastly more experienced opponent with a category A rating. The game was evenly balanced, eventually reaching a Rook and Pawns endgame, later in the evening. Michael was running out of time, but Riyaan was distracted by having to record his moves for the first time in an over the board game. Michael had committed to advancing Kingside, and Riyaan Queenside. Michael forced an exchange of pawns Queenside, and with his own King on the opposite wing, managed to sweep up Riyaans remaining pawns, preserving his own pawns for a win. A lot of lessons were learned by Riyaan here, and he will certainly be a player to watch out for in the future.
Board 5: Dominic Watson (1734) 1-0 Qasim Zaidi (1517). If you thought that last season's giant slayer Dominic Watson was going to crush a chess league newbie more than 200 rating points beneath him, think again. The last game of the evening, was decidedly the best. Well past 10 pm, they had reached a Rook, minor piece and pawns endgame. Dominic had the initiative, but Qasim was always able to repel any attack and defend his pawns. Then deeper into the endgame, Dominic had two passed pawns and Qasim one. Although Dominics advancing pawns had Rook support, his King was on the other side of the board. Whereas Qasim's passed pawn was supported by his King and Rook was a theoretically won game - if he kept pushing his e-Pawn. But Dominic skillfully utilised his connected passed pawns to deflect Qasim's King and Rook to win the pawn race, and the game.
Match result: Luton C 1-4 Milton Keynes C.
The scoreline will record a loss, but the games were much closer for the two juniors, who are getting stronger with every game this season.