John Ripley Trophy Final - Mon 24th Apr 2006

Atticus v Skelmersdale

Match Report by John Carleton

On paper this appears a complete demolition job by the reigning cup holders against their predecessors but, as those who were present will testify, not everything ran totally smoothly. Dave Robbo was however at his dynamic best, sacrificing three pawns and a piece to chase the white King to a3 where it faced unstoppable mate. Nick Wall also played a most logical game albeit in a different style. He converted positional pressure into material gain and produced a crisp finish for the benefit of the crowd.

 

The other games were not so convincing. Jonathan, star of the semi-final, invited sacrifices which were duly played. When his opponent missed the correct follow-up the young Welsh maestro returned material for a massive build up and a simple endgame win. The dynamic duo, Dave James and myself decided that this was a good opportunity to demonstrate the power of the other dynamic duo (the two bishops). In fact, matters did not turn out to be totally straightforward but we both got there in the end.

 

This left the webmaster centre stage. From the opening Steve seemed to gain a pleasant space advantage but was met with a slashing counter attack. There seemed to be no way Steve could survive, but magically, in the second time scramble, Steve not only survived but was in the process of weaving a mating net when he won on time to complete the rout.

 

John Ripley Trophy Round 03sf - Tues 28th Feb 2006

Liverpool v Atticus

Match Report by John Carleton

Round the premier league over the last few seasons the words “Thank heavens for Blackburn” have rarely been heard. These, however, were very much the sentiments being felt by Atticus after this narrow squeak in the John Ripley Cup.

 

We were surprised when Dave James downed tools quickly. As he explained later this was not connected to his wishing to have a few quiet pints in his local. On the contrary, Dave explained, he had in fact stumbled into a very tricky position and having complete faith in his comrades decided on an early night. By then John Littlewood had caught me napping in the opening and I had to shed a pawn. For this pawn I managed to shut one of John’s bishops out of the game. He played impressively to limit my counterplay and eventually freed his bishop. The decisive break-through arrived as my time ran out. In the meantime Tom Bimpson won smoothly on board 6 and all seemed set fair on boards 4 and 5.

 

Robbo smoothly built up a crushing position (Herr Fritz tells us he had forced mate in 13 at one point!) and then let Dave Leeming right back into it. Robbo had to jettison material to survive and when the endgame of Robbo’s rook versus two bishops and a rook pawn arrived we feared the worse. After a brief chase of one of the bishops by the rook and the clocks running down a draw was agreed! Steve had by now also failed to convert a great position so it was all down to Jonathan. In the early stages he appeared to be blasting Mike off the board but was met by fierce resistance which ended only deep into the quick-play session. Thank heavens for Blackburn.

 

John Ripley Trophy Round 02 - Mon 7th Nov 2005

Atticus v Huyton

Match Report by John Carleton

“Noonan Speaks Out”. Steve Connor’s agent “Tricky Dickie” Richard Noonan finally broke his silence on last Monday’s Cup quarter final. “I’m gutted” said ashen faced Richard. “All Steve had to do was carry on playing like he was for the first twenty moves and we were made. The British public love a loser: look how Eddie the Eagle’s career took off even though he never did; look at Guy Fawkes, look at Gareth Southgate. I had already got a very tasty offer from Pizza Hut (not many people can say that), when what happens? He only starts playing chess, that’s what. If only he had listened to his History teacher more instead of playing with computers all the time; he would have realised he was on the brink of fame.”

Match score Atticus 6-4½ Huyton.

 

Knotty Ash Cup

In this knock out competition, teams will consist of 5 players and a grading restriction will apply, limiting all players in the team to grades of 129 and below. Tony Morley and Joe Siddall made the draw on July 25th 2005 for the 1st round and 2nd round ties.

Quarter Finals

Matches will be drawn by Monday 5th December. Matches to be played week commencing Monday 16th January 2006. Clubs will be notified as to dates by Friday 9th December.

Semi Finals

Matches will be drawn by Monday 6th February. Matches to be played week commencing Monday 13th March 2006. Clubs will be notifies as to dates by Friday 10th February.

Final

The Final will take place the week commencing Monday 17th April 2006.