Horsham 1

Horsham 1 continued their good run with an away win against Crowborough 1.

In the Sussex League, Horsham 1 continued their good start with another big win.

Eastbourne 2 arrived with a team filled with players who had previously graced their first team. However, the 200 point average grading difference proved too much as Horsham 1 defeated them by the margin of 3.5-0.5. Gavin Lock defeated Adrian Pickersgill, Mark Broom defeated James O'Dell, and James Mansson defeated Laurence Butt, while Paul Carpenter was the only Eastbourne player to salvage something by drawing with Anrthony Higgs.

Horsham 1 started the season with a 3-1 win over Horsham 2. Mark Broom beat Phil Stimpson and Mike Forster beat Ian Comley, while Gavin Lock drew with Anthony Higgs and James Mansson drew with Rob McDonald. The last game was an eventful encounter, where both sides had chances to gain a signficant advantage.

Horsham 1 suffered a narrow 1.5-2.5 defeat away to Brighton 1 on the Monday of last week. Travelling to Brighton's new (temporary) venue, Horsham 1 looked well placed as they secured two draws on the top two boards, as Gavin Lock drew with Luke Rutherford and Mark Broom drew with Calum Salmons. However, disaster struck, when James Mansson's strong position against Geoff James fell apart in time trouble, and he ended up losing on time in what seemed in any case to have been a lost position.

Horsham 1 faced a new opponent in the form of freshly-promoted Bexhill 1. Travelling to their opponents' venue above a furnature shop in fair Bexhill (complete, at one point, with howling dogs in the distance), Horsham were up against a team they ought to beat comfortably, but things didn't go quite to plan.

Andrew Fleming and Mike Forster played out what looked like a pretty solid draw, as Andrew played an unambitious line as White against Mike's Sicilian.

Horsham 1 vs Bexhill 1 match score: 0.5 - 0.5

Horsham 1 suffered a narrow defeat at home last night against a strong Worthing 1 side. All the Horsham players has their chances but only one was able to fully take advantage, while a couple crashed to defeat.

Anthony Higgs sacrificed a pawn in the opening and build up decent pressure for a pawn. However, an oversight in a complicated position led to him having to give up his queen for a rook and minor piece, which proved inadequare compensation.

Horsham 1 vs Worthing 1 match score: 0 - 1

Horsham 1 and 2 started their Mid-Sussex League season by playing each other, as both teams are in Division 1. As expected, the match was a tight affair, especially as this year league matches are still over only four boards. Horsham 1 managed to secure a narrow win, but not after an almighty scare.

The first game to end was Mike Forster against Peter Harbott. Mike was unable to generate any advantage out of the opening, and offered a draw in a position where he couldn't see how to make progress. Peter was happy to accept.

Horsham 1 vs Horsham 2 match score: 0.5 - 0.5

A short summary of the last three league fixtures, sorry I have been remiss in reporting but I went on holiday the day after the first match and got way behind...

We were able to field our strongest team away to Worthing on Monday night, which meant I didn't get into it! Over to Mark B to explain what happened...

Last Tuesday Horsham hosted Hastings 2 and it was a successful evening for the home team...