Harrogate B vs Holmfirth Match report
Once more it was the most important game of the season (next one is on Wednesday against Honley for the Watkinson’s league title push). A win for Holmfirth would mean we take the title for the Silver Rook league, with promotion already in the bag.
There was a slight change ahead of the game, with Chris on debut and Dylan sent to backfill Huddersfield for their own title push in Division 2. On paper, we out gunned the opposition on 1 and 2 but they took us on the rest (quite heavily on 4 and 5).
Colin was the first to finish, a couple of hours in. I did not see how he finished but I did see the devastating fork coming in, that should have ended the game. Next up was myself, having followed a somewhat false path against a King’s Indian Attack into an even position. My opponent declined a draw offer and promptly left his queen en-pris. 0-2 to Holmfirth.
Dave K also found an even position, but a draw was agreed this time.
Alex, meanwhile, decided to give my blood pressure a prod. Sacking an exchange and giving his opponent two passed pawns, Alex was smiling and looking extremely confident. His teammates were not however. It turned out Alex was totally right and somehow winning. 3.5 – 0.5.
Dave obtained a pleasant central advantage vs a Grunfeld in what the computer claimed was an even game. It was dead even when a draw was agreed. This left Chris, who had a very double-edged position. With the game going to near time control, Chris offered a draw, which was declined. In a near repeat of my game, he then hung his queen.
Champions!
Victory over Harrogate gave Holmfirth an unassailable lead at the top of the Silver Rook division, with a bye in the final round. Champions and promotion into Division 2 from September.
How did we get here?
Reliability and consistency in short. Dave Booth and Colin with five games out of seven. Alex with four and myself with seven. 17 players featured this season as we were able to beg, scrape and rotate around our four regulars. Many of those playing only one game won (Harley, John, Alec and Jon), whilst Dylan scored 2/2.
Having Alex, Isaac, myself and Dave in the team really helps, with four players who can cheerfully play on Board 1.
The ‘top’ player with a performance rating of 2031 (yeah right!) was me, unbeaten this season with 6/7. This was followed by Steve Crow (2.5/3), Colin (4/5) and Alex (3/4). Having those that convert and those that can hold a board, is vital.
Whilst on paper we have a strong squad, it was often difficult to get everyone out at the same time and we went into matches at a grading disadvantage. It was not made to count.
I will put the LMS down now.
The turning point
The instruction from the Committee was to get promoted. It looked like it was not happening against Rose Forgrove back in November. I was getting killed over the board, facing a Benoni, whilst Steve C was in huge difficulty. There goes promotion, I thought. Then things turned, my opponent dropped his queen, falling for a tactic and Steve’s counter punch also took him to a win. 1.5 – 4.5 to Holmfirth. Bar an amazing all board draw vs Meltham, we never really looked back.
Next season
We go to eight boards in a very competitive division. It looks like the furthest we will go, will be Hull. However, we get to play Wakefield, Sheffield, Calderdale and maybe Huddersfield (should they not get promoted). So lots are local games and we already have a 2100 to support us. Of course, Alex and Isaac are getting stronger, so we can compete well.