MCA Division 1, Atticus 1, 2007/8

Last updated: Wednesday, 30 April 2008 20:43 UK

Team Captain: FM Dave James djjdale@talktalk.net

**Played at The Head of Steam on 22 Apr

Match Report by Nick Wall

Thur 28th February 2008 - Prescot 1 v Atticus 1 - Result: 3-5

Cups of tea were on offer at Prescot's new venue. Ten minutes after clocks were started, Prescot introduced a substitute on board 6 as their player hadn't shown up. The substitute turned out to be Houghton, who's strong enough to be on a higher board.
 
Overall, a close fought match, with six games going on well beyond 35 moves, and the outcome not decided until the last few minutes of the session. John defended against McDonald's sacrifices to emerge material up, but McDonald's pesky pawns were enough to earn a draw. Jonathan got his first draw of the campaign in unlikely fashion, eventually spurning an opportunity of a king hunt to take a perpetual check. I ended my drawing sequence against Sartain after he dropped a piece. Tom always had the edge against the Prescot captain although this was one of the games which went the full distance.

With Frank's game drawn and Steve's heading for a defeat, the match was effectively decided on boards 6 and 7. Brian kept his nerve - and control of the position - to win a long endgame on 7, while Andre outplayed Houghton in an endgame where he'd been the exchange down to secure an impressive draw.

So 5-3 to Atticus 1, who return to the top of the league.
 
- Nick Wall