Nottinghamshire League: Grantham-1 vs Ashfield-2 4½:½

According to the result form it was an easy match for Grantham. I wish I could say that. 

Grantham-1		4½:½	Ashfield-2
Birtwistle N	182	½:½	Burke S	174
Mangione C	193	1:0	Taylor R	155
Payne N	183	1:0	Morgan P	140
Prior S	186	1:0	Herrington J	-
David I	172	1:0	Robinson A	155

On the top board, Nigel Birtwistle playing Black faced to Steve Burke and his favourite Bird's opening. Nigel fianchettoed his dark-squared Bishop and after interesting battle opponents agreed a draw.


Claudio overplayed his much lover rated opponent in English opening and won.

Nick Payne defended himself in Sicilian and had to face White's Maroczy set-up which resulted from the Moscow variation 3.Bb5+ and after the exchange of Bishops on d7 followed by c4. 


Steve Prior had difficult time with Jerry Herrington, a quite resilient opponent. After time control the situation was unclear, however, Steve finally managed the full point for Grantham.

Alan Robinson played against me opening known as Barry Attack. Long time the position was balanced, however, both opponents were running out of time. In big time trouble Alan blundered piece and several moves after time control he gave up.


Grantham-1 made another step closer to win the league again and defend the title.