"Life is not what you expect: it is made up of the most unexpected twists and turns."
IIaiyaraaja
We made our debut in the U-8750 KO cup last night, with an evening of high drama or farce, depending on the generosity of your perspective. Ultimately we won without losing a single game. However, that does not really tell the full story. Anyone who has read this far is as well placed to predict the outcome of each match as those intrepid spectators who spent their evening observing the action, only to be called away moments before the end of the proceedings. (Perhaps fortunately there were no such watchers, but if this report does not bring the crowds in next time, I don't know what will.)
These last eighteen months of lockdowns may have changed society beyond all recognition, but some things remain the same. Rob Reynolds is still too inclined to take draws and our very own Rod Webb has retained his unique approach to clock management. From the confines of Board 2, I watched both these phenomena play out on Boards 1 and 3.
On Board 1, Rob seemed to pick up the exchange very early against Phil. Phil did make it hard and to be fair, these positions are never easy. That said, it was a bit of a let off for us when Rob offered a draw with plenty of wood on the board. Geddit! So 0.5 - 0.5.
On Board 3, Rod seemed to be in a level endgame against Andrew Cottom, with one crucial distinction. Rod had four minutes left, Andrew over an hour. At which point, Andrew followed Rob's generous example and offered a draw. I expected Rod to bite Andrew's hand off. Instead of which, he sat there in blissful contemplation as his clock ticked down. In the end I couldn't help but lean over and ask Andrew to clarify if he was offering the draw. Andrew obliged by repeating the offer more clearly, breaking Rod's zen like train of thought and to my relief he accepted. So 1-1, from the only two games where we were in trouble.
The last three match ups all went to the wire. I had a blistering attack against Richard Liszewski. Better even than last week's against Paul Roper, at least for most of the night. I thought a mate was inevitable, but I simply couldn't find it. In the end I simplified into the wrong ending, two pawns up, but with opposite coloured Bishops. I still thought it would be straightforward, but I could not get it right. I ran very short of time and had to take a draw that felt more like a defeat. Very painful, as I'd certainly had the best position of the evening.
Still, Will was better and Roy was miles better, so things still looked good. In what seemed like seconds, Roy's game against Jason Gillespie swung from won to lost and then to a draw. I don't have the chess expertise to describe this extraordinary series of events, but there it was. Another draw and 2-2.
Will, while in a decent position seemed to have far fewer winning chances than his colleagues. Yet he found a way to see it through. In a time scramble, Warren Archibold's radar let him down and Will pounced to be the hero. A really well played, nicely controlled game. Will held his nerve where his team mates had not managed to hold theirs! Well done Will - definitely our man of the match.
So, we progress to the next round. Bernard R will be back from holiday and in the captain's seat next time around. Our matches aren't always the most relaxing watching for any captain, but Kenilworth's 100% start to the season is still intact! Maybe we just make things harder than they need to be to keep everybody entertained! Maybe.
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