We are playing in B division. This season the division is split in two, with the winners of each section having a play-off for the championship at the end of the season.
A creditable draw against a higher rated team. Simon and Reg drew on the top two boards. Tom and Steve D could not overcome big rating differences on boards 3 & 4. On boards 5 & 6 ratings were more equal, and Bill and Vijay took full advantage to win - Bill against one of our former members, Stuart Sumner.
31/03/2025 - University 3½ Altrincham 2½
This was the University's home match, but they requested to play at our venue as they are having problems with their own venue. There were wins for James and Simon, a draw for Tony, and defeats for Nick, Nicolas Rojas and Reg.
10/03/2025 - Altrincham 2 Chorlton II 3
Chorlton defaulted board 6 due to a late withdrawal of one of their players. Nick had a good win, but Tony, Simon, James and I all lost to make the score 2-4. However the MCF imposed an additional game point penalty on Chorlton due to the late default.
20/01/2025 - Altrincham 2½ Urmston 3½
We were outrated by about 200 points per board on average, but were unlucky to lose 2½-3½. Sheraz made a solid draw. I (Reg) had a level position, but used up far too much time and as a result had to play a long time on increments. Fortunately I managed to keep my scoresheet updated, so was able to claim a draw when my opponent inadvertently allowed a 3x repetition. James won his opponent's Queen and some pawns for two Rooks, and was able to coordinate his remaining pieces better than his opponent to win. Nick was a pawn down, but managed a draw due to opposite colour Bishops. Both Tony and our new recruit Simon Calvert put up a great fight, both having an advantage at one stage, but succumbing in time trouble.
19/12/2024 - Eccles II 6 Altrincham 0
The result was hardly surprising since we had earlier in the season lost 5½-½ to Eccles 3rd team in the Cup! The average rating deficit was nearly 400 points per board! Despite this, I had a fairly equal position after 30 moves, but started to go wrong at that point, mainly due to time shortage, and my position gradually deteriorated. James also put up a good fight; his game and comments are below.
Pete Mulleady (1981) v James Lawrence (1624)
25/11/2024 - Altrincham 2½ University 2½
We got a one point start, as the University could only muster 5 players. But that was wiped out with defeats for Tony, Sheraz and Nick on the top three boards. There was better news on boards 4 & 5. AJ, on his final appearance for us before returning to the USA, went out on a high note with a win. Meanwhile, James Lawrence was making his first appearance for us, and gained a draw.
So a 2½-3½ defeat - or so we thought. However, although the University had given us the required 6 hours' notice that they would be defaulting a board, they had failed to advise the League, so the MCF imposed a further game point penalty, making the score 2½-2½.
29/10/2024 - Chorlton II 4½ Altrincham 1½
Our first League match of the season was a tough assignment with an average rating deficit of 150 points per board. I had an early draw after my opponent played a very stodgy Petroff defence. Steve Douglas conceded defeat around the same time. Looking at the four remaining boards did not inspire much optimism - Tony was a pawn down, AJ the exchange up but 3 pawns down, 2 of which were connected passers, Tom Tomkins was under heavy pressure and Bill was a piece down. It would not have surprised me if all these games had been lost, so it was some consolation the next morning to see that Tony and AJ had both managed to draw, keeping the scoreline respectable.
23/09/2024 - Altrincham ½ Eccles III 5½ (Wahltuch Trophy)
No Wahltuch Trophy run for us this season, being comprehensively beaten by a very strong Eccles 3rd team who outrated us by over 200 points per board. The one bright spot was a draw for Nick, playing only his 3rd game since before the Covid pandemic - hopefully his appearances will become more frequent now that his back problems have eased. Another making a rare appearance was Vijay, who also hopes to play more regularly this season. Reg, Tony, Sheraz and Bill were the other unsuccessful team members.