Horsham win the McArthur Cup!

On Tuesday May 12th Horsham travelled to Lewes for the final of the McArthur Cup, after having beaten Brighton and Sussex University in previous rounds. We won the match 3.5-2.5, and so won the Cup.

On Board 1 Gavin’s position in a sideline of the Scandinavian was balanced but tense. He gave up the bishop pair for a passed c-pawn. He won a pawn, then the exchange, returning it to break open his opponent’s kingside. The passed c-pawn in the end was decisive.
On Board 2 Mark was on the black side of a Reti opening, which became a long strategic game. White was more active but had more weaknesses and after a miscalculation allowed Black to pick up a pawn at the same time as taking over the initiative, which led to the win.
On Board 3 James Mansson gained an advantage out of the opening as White in the French Defence. He gradually built up a winning position, but made a miscalculation which led to the loss of the exchange and exposed weaknesses in his position, quickly leading to a loss.
On Board 4 Anthony’s game was a Czech Benoni where he was able to break up the centre and expose the White king. His opponent’s pieces were stranded on the queenside and Anthony’s became active, eventually resulting in a forced mate.
On Board 5 Phil established a comfortable looking position after multiple exchanges but allowed his opponent’s knight to reach a very active square, where it suddenly became difficult and then went downhill.
On Board 6 James McGrath’s position was a bit worse from the start and he had to defend for most of the game, but safely managed to reach a drawn rook and pawn ending.

Lewes 2½ Horsham 3½
1 Matthew Masani 0-1 Gavin Lock (W)
2 Peter Farr 0-1 Mark Broom
3 Calum Kinloch 1-0 James Mansson
4 Richard Welford 0-1 Anthony Higgs
5 Alex Von Der Becke 1-0 Phil Stimpson
6 Joseph Wright ½-½ James McGrath

Congratulations to the team, including Ian Comley and Rob McDonald who played in the Sussex University game, on a successful campaign!