Horham 5 vs East Grinstead 3

Horsham 5 started the season at home against East Grinstead 3 on Tuesday in Division 3. On paper we are one of the lower rated teams in the league so it promises to be a tough season.

East Grinstead 3 are amongst the favourites this year and despite being heavily outgraded on every board, we came away with a creditable 2-2 draw.

Roberto Magalotti had the short straw of playing top board vs Eric Granzelius, a strong 1800 rated opponent. He started the game well, coming out of the opening as black in a good position. Unfortunately he then lost a piece due to a pawn fork and was forced to resign shortly after.

On board 2, I had white against their captain Robert Wall. He quickly gained an advantage in the opening, damaging my pawn structure and winning the bishop pair. However, he then over committed on both sides of the board, allowing my knights some strong outpost squares and a dangerous passed pawn. In an attempt to remove one of the knights, he fell for a trap and had to resign on move 30.

Hamish Hockings had black against Adrian Waldock on board 3, another strong player. The game started with an unusual opening followed by both players castling queenside and then white executing a kingside pawn push. The position was closed and progress quite slow. After some mutual threats that were thwarted, with time running low, white offered a draw despite being a pawn up which Hamish agreed.

Guy Turvey played an advanced French on board 4 vs Ian Dennis. Both sides had subtle chances which were not realised before Guy managed to gain a small advantage but couldn't see the right continuation to keep the initiative. After black repeated moves a draw was agreed.

Next game is away against Bexhill 3, another one of the top rated teams in the league.