Outgraded but not outplayed; combined ‘C’ side secure fine match draw

Derby League Division 2

The odds were definitely stacked against the Burton and Lichfield ‘C’ side in their Division 2 away clash with Belper ‘C’, with the team outgraded on every board, To make matters worse, a last minute default on Board 1 left Belper 1-0 up before the match even began.

However, the team fought back to secure a fine 2-2 draw, with the Burton and Lichfield wins coming on the bottom two boards. Mike Hoare, playing White on Board 3, constructed a strong mating attack which forced his opponent to give up his queen for two minor pieces. In the endgame, the mobility of the queen proved decisive as Mike forked his opponent’s king and bishop.

Brian Homewood, playing on Board 4, was on the defensive for much of the game. He lost a pawn, but continued to fight, and was rewarded when his opponent missed a skewer that won a knight. His opponent missed a second tactic, losing the pawns that were now his only hope. He resigned.

With Gary Monks losing on Board 2 against an opponent graded 250 points higher, the match finished 2-2, a result which lifts Burton and Lichfield ‘C’ off the bottom of the Division 2 table. (Match played: 14th January)