CHESS RESULT (11): Exeter 2.5 Tiverton 1.5 (Exeter & District Div.2)

Tiverton visited Exeter on Wednesday 17th February for a four board match in the Exeter and District League Division 2.  The time limit in this League is fast - 30 moves in 1 hour plus all remaining moves in 15 minutes. This led to some interesting games with Tiverton losing by the narrowest of margins.

On board 1,  Ivor Annetts (White, Tiverton)  had to respond to Simon Waters' Scandinavian defence (1 e4 d5).  Ivor played rather passively, giving the initiative to the Exeter player who was, however, unable to build on his marginal advantage.  The game was agreed a draw after 22 moves with White's R & N facing Black's R & B with symmetrical pawns.

On board 2, John Morrison (Black, Tiverton) lost an early pawn against Sean Pope's c3 Sicilian (1 e4 c5 2 c3).  But as the pawn comprised a half share of a doubled d-pawn,  in the ending Sean - with two bishops - was unable to penetrate the Tiverton players bishop and knight defence.

Board 3 ended in a fascinating draw.  Keith Atkins (White, Tiverton - see photograph) was up against Exeter's Charles Keen.  A brief glance towards the end seemed to show that the Exeter player was enjoying a clearly winning position.  Keith had rook & white squared bishop against his opponent's rook and dark squared bishop.  White's problem was the two extra black pawns!

Next, Keith tried it on and Charles missed it!  Black's rook became trapped and Charles was reduced to making meaningless bishop and/or king moves.  With Keith in severe time trouble a sporting draw was offered by Charles.

Tiverton's only loss came on board 4 where early on John Knowles lost the exchange to Jonathan Whaley.  The power of  doubled rooks was too great and John was forced to resign.

Whilst manager of Southampton FC, Lawrie McMenemy once said after a 7-0 drubbing against superior opposition, "We were lucky to get 0!"  Tiverton, on this occasion, were lucky to get the three draws!

For the full low down on the friendly Tiverton Club, please click on Tiverton Chess Club to be taken to the Chess Devon website.