Brilliant bluff turns the tables

Cannock League Division 3

It was a topsy turvy game for Albert Chacko in a Division 3A game against Rushall. He gained an early advantage and then slipped into a losing position. He sacrificed a Rook-seemingly a blunder-but actually a brilliant bluff that turned the tables and led to a stylish win.

Unortunately it was not enough to beat Rushall, winners by 2-5 points to 1.5. Bill Kimberley’s game became a closed position with opposite coloured Bishops which led to a draw; Stephen Smithson’s opponent sacrificed a rook to creat three unstoppable connected pawns and Maurizio Baravalle’s position turned sour after a greedy attempt to win a pawn.

It was a better result for 3A in their latest game at Stafford which they they drew 2-2. Albert Chacko improved his stunning early season to further stretch his Ladder Board lead and this time he was supported by Phil Sykes who also won, on board two.

Against the rarely used Alekhine’s Defence,Albert burned time in the opening phase. Castling kingside early his opponent struggled to co-ordinate the rest of his pieces leaving structural weaknesses as Albert castled Queenside and launched a pawn storm under which his opponent cracked, blundering a Bishop. There was no way back. In his game Phil won a piece and a Knight fork trapped both Rooks and completed a mate.

Bill Kimberley and Maurizio Baravalle lost on the bottom two boards. Maurizio had no chance to recover after being foreced to surrender a Rook-a tough loss in a game that demanded precision throughout (Matches played 25th Sept and 3rd October).