Return of the Twofer

Two Leamington League matches within 5 days for Kenilworth A seemed like the obvious excuse to go for another two for the price of one report.

So let's wind back to last Wednesday when the A team bounced back from the shambolic defeat against Banbury A to register a 3-1 win away against Solihull A. It was by no mean plain sailing for our all conquering team, though, as Javier was completely busted for most of the evening against Don Mason on  Board 1, but somehow hung on to eventually secure a draw by perpetual check. This was the second consecutive game where he had to suffer big time on the White side of a Spanish. Ironic or what?! There was better news on Board 2, where I beat Neil Clarke on the Black side of a London System/Barry Attack, but not without an alarm or two along the way. Eventually, though, the position got too difficult for both of us and Neil made a losing mistake in a position where it was still all to play for. On one of his rare outings, Andy B drew with White against Ray Carpenter on Board 3 after a very strange opening. I thought Andy was slowly turning the screw until all of a sudden ray jumped out with 2 rooks and a knight threatening the White king, and Andy was forced to allow a repetition. Thank goodness, then, for Joshua, who always seemed to be better on Board 4 against Paul Roper and eventually broke through to win material after a sustained attack against White's long-castled king. 3-1 then, and our title quest was firmly back on track.

Last night we were at home to Shirley A, and our return to form continued, as we posted the same scoreline to send us 5 points clear of Stratford A and Olton A at the top of Division 1. Javier drew again on top board, this time with Black against Phil Purcell, but this was a much, much calmer encounter than last week's game. In fact, not much happened at all! Mike was rather stunned by Jonathan Dale's opening on Board 4 - 1 d4 e5 2 dxe5 d6!? - and was unable to create any advantage after - perhaps wisely - declining to take the gambit pawn. But KCC won the match on the middle two boards where, first, I broke through down the h file against Marcus Walsh and won two pieces and a pawn for a rook, prompting instant resignation, and then Andrew P continued his good form since returning to the team, with a tense win over Dave Thomas. The position was rather murky, as Andrew took a risk or two to unbalance matters, but eventually the mist cleared and he was a pawn up. Dave then inexplicably swapped off into a totally lost king and pawn ending, which was duly lost, to give us another 3-1 win.

We are firmly back on track in our attempt to win a third successive Division 1 title (either side of a one year pandemic break), but next have a cup semi-final to navigate against Solihull. Where we are also chasing a third successive triumph (either side of a two year pandemic break!).

And to finish, a very apposite song for our times. Politically charged lyrics and exquisite guitar from an absolute master. What's not to like?