Preston 1 v Preston 2

My thanks to Brett’s agent ( his partner Helen) for giving him the green light to play tonight. When she saw the Preston 1 team-sheet she quipped that it contained two cocks and a complete dick ! Me and Brett are still trying to work out which one of us is the complete dick ( Lol).

Jowett versus Lund. Two of Blackpool & Fylde’s best and most experienced players. These two legends were engulfed in a real heavyweight struggle of epic proportions tonight. The twists and the turns, the complications, the sheer brilliancy of each and every move was literally breath-taking. How both players kept their nerve and their concentration through this arduous seven move draw I’ll never know. Pure class.

On board three Phil played a very attacking opening and soon sacrificed the exchange to weaken the defences around Black’s king. Phil was setting various traps ( discovered checks and discovered attacks on the black queen ) and if any of these succeeded would have swung the game in his favour, so black had to play accurately. Black was able to repel these threats and slowly build up an attack against White’s king. With only about a minute left to make 5 moves and in a losing position white resigned.

Next to finish was board 4. Alan was very candid and stated he had a “crap” opening but heading into the endgame material was equal. Hambel had a passed pawn on the A file and reflecting on the game afterwards and with analysis from Pete Jowett she thought she should have pushed this pawn and may have had the better chance. However this was unclear in the actual game and a draw against the stronger opponent was a good result.

Board two was last to finish. Both players pushed the game to the very limit, a king and pawn endgame, and little time left on both clocks. At one point Malcolm was a pawn up but it was not possible to convert this advantage, and skilful play by Jim resulted in a draw.

Our thanks to Preston 2 who, as always, gave us an enjoyable and a very close match.