Lindores returned to the Ormeau Road to take on Ballynafeigh 2, thoroughly seeking revenge following last fortnights horror display against Ballynafeigh 1.
The aptly named Ballynafeigh 2, led by club captain Damien Cunningham had been on a highly precedented run of bad luck. Infact, the media circus surrounding his team’s misfortune has now stretched across to America, where Fox News have now re-located to Cunningham’s own personal headquarters. Even twitter has blown up following last weeks defeat to Fisherwick under the hashtag #ballynafeigh and is the 2nd most common trend of 2013 behind #justinbiebersrightleg.
The biggest challenge Lindores faced was the pre-match tactical battle, but that was to prove Ballynafeigh’s only significant victory as Stephen Rush moved to board 3 in an attempt by Cunningham to take out Lindores’ danger man Ross Harris.
The first match to be decided was the highly anticipated board 5 clash between Ian Kilpatrick and the Ulster Intermediate Champion Robert Lavery, who perhaps is the best “point for point” player in Ulster Chess currently. The captains agreed that the clash would decide the best unofficial board 5 in the league, and both players who are no strangers to each other, blitzed out a frantic sicilian najdorf main line before the other games had even commenced. A double-sided game emerged, Lavery seemed to have attained the first “shot” as he caught Kilpatrick in a nasty pin whilst also threatening to take on h2. However, the reward was merely a pawn and a lack of tempo and Kilpatrick had a mate in 3 lined up. Lavery sensibly backed out of his plan but was caught in further complications, thus forfeiting a rook and the game. 1-0 Lindores in under an hour.
Despite their 1-0 lead, Lindores were severely down on time across their other 4 boards. Brendan Jamison’s queenside pressure against Paul McNaughten had gained him a piece and seemingly an unassailable lead. Lindores were a pawn up on boards 1 and 3 but with plenty of action still left in both games.
The board 2 clash between the two captains failed to ever produce any fireworks. Cunningham, who in his advancing years is undoubtedly becoming more drawish was happy to shut-up-shop and defend. Leitch was sitting so comfortably(possibly because of his Paolo Di Canio t-shirt) that he forgot to push on and win the game! After declining the first draw ,Leitch played on hopelessly trying to find a win in a dead drawn position. But a gasp from the other board informed him that young Stephen Rush had dropped a piece against Ross Harris. Spotting this ,Leitch agreed a draw with the oblivious Cunningham.
Moments later,Harris confirmed victory against in-form American Stephen Rush. Worth noting that Rush has comfortably dispatched some strong seasoned campaigners already this season…as well as Richard Gould!
Harris, always the willing and dogged challenger matched his opponent throughout. Gaining a pawn and initiative. Rush was easing his way back into the position with some sound positional play and contrary to other match reports was still slightly behind in the position before mindlessly dropping a piece for nothing moments after refusing a draw against the time-troubled Harris.
This is the position on move 36 just before black blundered his bishop by 36…Bxe3. White is already a pawn up and Fritz analyses this as an advantage to white of + 1.23…..not quite the nailed on win for black that Damien claimed!!!
Meanwhile, on board 4 Brendan Jamison finally disposed of the strong resistance of Paul McNaughten. McNaughten never gave up a piece down and made things very tricky for his opponent with some inventive play. Jamison was wise to it and dealt very maturely in face of the complications to pull it back to 2.5-1.5
Attention immediately turned to the board 1 clash between Gabor Horvath and Mike Redman. Redman, whose deal with Lindores was all but done until a final hour bid from Ballynafeigh. Whatever was promised, hasn’t been delivered that’s for sure and I hope the bank balance was worth it Mike!
But back to the game, which was an outstanding one. A dodgy pawn sac in the middlegame from Redman, brought positional reward as Gabor’s pieces were not co-ordinated and relatively inactive and Redman had developed some space on Gabor’s kingside. Gabor, however had a strong centre with 2 connected passers and shocked the crowd with a double rook for minor piece sac, firmly believing in his dominating bishops and passed pawns. A complicated blitz ensued with Gabor always looking like he was going to do it….and he did! In devastating fashion to boot!
Gabor also turned down 3 draws as Ballynafeigh 2 seemed happy to setle for another 3-2 defeat, but Lindores wanted blood!
A close match , but a deserved victory for Lindores.
For an un-biased account please visit the Ballynafeigh website, where you can see that the Ballynafeigh and Cunningham Propaganda machine went into full affect to paper over the cracks of yet another defeat.
Cunningham tidying up the cracks of another defeat. The victim on this occasion behind Robert Lavery.
Lindores Chess Club 