B Team News

Chelmsford fielded a somewhat under-strength 'B' team to face the might of Writtle 'A', who hadn't pulled many punches, when choosing their own team selection. However, things were going well 30 minutes in to the match and all of the Chelmsford positions looked fairly balanced.

Alan Riddoch was the first to opt for mass bloodshed as all the minor pieces were exchanged to leave the queens and rooks scrabbling around Graham Moore's passed pawn. Tactics aplenty, the balance of forces swung viciously until Alan finally capitulated. On Board 3, Tony Armer held his own until John Moore squeezed a positional advantage and went a pawn up. This was enough to exert even more pressure on Tony's rapidly re-deploying infantry, and eventually proved overwhelming.

Board 4 saw Paul Houghton's debut for the 'B' Team. Paul and his opponent, Pat McDermott, opted for solid build-ups and it was hard to see how the trench warfare was going to progress. When it arrived, however, a white flag eventually emerged from the Chelmsford camp after a brave struggle. Steve Woodall faced Witham's Kerry Chilvers on Board 5. With pressure slowly building on his king, Steve made the most of the tactics available to him but, just as he was launching his counter-attack, Kerry found the right combination to stay ahead.

Meanwhile, on Board 2, Ben attempted a passive defence (after discussing the fact that when playing stronger players you should not attempt a passive defence !). Dave Kraszewski positioned his pieces on attacking squares and Ben fought frantically to exchange them off. Nevertheless, as the first time-control loomed, Ben's opponent maintained an edge with a supported passed pawn, but became short of time. Dave Kraszeski faced some tricky decisions with little time to calculate. Following two draw offers and a bishop sacrifice from Ben, and with the time-control fast approaching, Dave finally offered a draw whilst trying to halt the progress of 2 errant pawns vying for promotion. After checking the bar closing times, Ben graciously accepted. 4.5 - 0.5.

Overall, a valiant effort in the face of a huge grading deficit.

'B' Team
*Captain - Alan Riddoch*
Chelmsford fielded a somewhat under-strength 'B' team to face the might of Writtle 'A', who hadn't pulled many punches, when choosing their own team selection. However, things were going well 30 minutes in to the match and all of the Chelmsford positions looked fairly balanced. Alan Riddoch was the first to opt for mass bloodshed as all the minor pieces were exchanged to leave the queens and rooks scrabbling around Graham Moore's passed pawn. Tactics aplenty, the balance of forces swung viciously until Alan finally capitulated. On Board 3, Tony Armer held his own until John Moore squeezed a positional advantage and went a pawn up. This was enough to exert even more pressure on Tony's rapidly re-deploying infantry, and eventually proved overwhelming. Board 4 saw Paul Houghton's debut for the 'B' Team. Paul and his opponent, Pat McDermott, opted for solid build-ups and it was hard to see how the trench warfare was going to progress. When it arrived, however, a white flag eventually emerged from the Chelmsford camp after a brave struggle. Steve Woodall faced Witham's Kerry Chilvers on Board 5. With pressure slowly building on his king, Steve made the most of the tactics available to him but, just as he was launching his counter-attack, Kerry found the right combination to stay ahead. Meanwhile, on Board 2, Ben attempted a passive defence (after discussing the fact that when playing stronger players you should not attempt a passive defence !). Dave Kraszewski positioned his pieces on attacking squares and Ben fought frantically to exchange them off. Nevertheless, as the first time-control loomed, Ben's opponent maintained an edge with a supported passed pawn, but became short of time. Dave Kraszeski faced some tricky decisions with little time to calculate. Following two draw offers and a bishop sacrifice from Ben, and with the time-control fast approaching, Dave finally offered a draw whilst trying to halt the progress of 2 errant pawns vying for promotion. After checking the bar closing times, Ben graciously accepted. 4.5 - 0.5. Overall, a valiant effort in the face of a huge grading deficit.
Chelmsford 'B' next play Witham 'B', in the KO Plate Final,at Home, on the 1st March 2007

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