Submitted by Ian Comley on 20 August, 2020 - 09:07
Congratulations to Horsham 1 who have won the Mid Sussex League . The MSL was suspended with a couple of games outstanding and Horsham 1 have won this competition for the first time since 2010.
The other results are also included in the picture - well played to all who represented the club last season.
I thought it was time to replace the suspension news with a more jolly post - so here you go Horsham 1 dominating a very strong Division 1!
In the meantime we are looking into how best to promote chess in the new strange times - we are hoping to arrange some online tournaments so watch this space.
In view of current events, including the advice of the ECF that evening leagues should be suspended, and the fact that some of our member clubs have already decided to curtail their activities, all MSCL matches are suspended from today, until further notice.
Submitted by James Mansson on 12 March, 2020 - 22:39
Horsham 1 beat a spirited Lewes 1 side in a match in early February.
Despite their position at the bottom of Division 1, Lewes 1 proved tricky opponents for Horsham 1.
They secured draws on the bottom two boards (Higgs -M.Britnell and Badham - Roberts), before Horsham managed to win on boards one (J.Britnell - Lock) and three (Maufe - Mansson). Although they had already lost the match 3-1, they were finally able to pick up a consolation win in the last game to finish (Broom - Welford).
Submitted by James Mansson on 13 February, 2020 - 14:32
Horsham 1 made its second trip down to Worthing this season, this time to play Worthing 3.
As expected,Horsham 1 won comfortably in the end. Mike Forster and Gavin Lock found themselves in tricky positions, but fortunately their opponents were in a peaceable mood. Dix Roberts won quickly on bottom board. James Mansson won the bishop pair then a pawn, and proceeded safely to convert his advantages to a win. Mark Broom had a longer, tougher game, in which he finally prevailed, to secure Horsham a 4-1 victory.
Submitted by Chris Heath on 13 February, 2020 - 10:00
Towards the end of the evening's proceedings a tied match or even a narrow win still seemed on the cards for Horsham 3 but in the event, Sussex University ran out deserved winners 4-1.
My own game didn't last all that long against a strong player. Whilst far from happy with my opening I seemed to have all bases covered and was reasonably comfortable, as later confirmed by computer. I then missed a tactic which was dropping a pawn, for which I found a 'brilliant' antidote that unfortunately lost me my queen!
Submitted by Chris Heath on 31 January, 2020 - 18:03
Having started the season with a 'long castle', I finally got on the scoresheet in helping Horsham 3 to a hard fought 3-2 win against Brighton 3.
Nick A's game was first to finish. Notwithstanding his black pieces he had already established a pleasant initiative shortly after the opening which he built upon and appeared to be heading for a comfortable and well constructed win when unfortunately he walked into a perpetual with a sharing of the spoils.
Submitted by James Mansson on 29 January, 2020 - 18:53
Horsham 1 were held at home in mid-January by Hastings 2, in a match that unusually ended in five draws. Horsham's best chances of a win fell to Mark Broom and James Mansson on boards two and three respectively, but unfortunately they were unable to make best use of their chances. The match therefore ended in a 2.5-2.5 draw.
Submitted by Chris Heath on 16 January, 2020 - 11:08
Despite the captain's ongoing misadventures, wins on the bottom three boards ensured a positive start to the new decade for Horsham 3 against Lewes 2.
I did not see much of Ian's game after his traditional English opening until towards the end which encompassed a neat and crushing denouement though not, I understand, without some adventures along the way.
