Barracudas open Season

In the same match last year, Randalstown almost suffered a whitewash,
launching Templar on a vigorous league campaign trail. This weeks match
was not expected to be as straight-forward.<br>
<br>
Youngster Philip Todd stepped up to open on board 1 for Bangor. The
Barracudas had lost two board 1 players; Evan Bell to a year-off and
Martin Moorcroft enticed away to add some youth to an ailing team of
veterans. David Grzymek moved up to senior competition after a
spectacular season culminating in winning the Irish Junior title.
Undaunted, Philip accepted the responsibility of top board with relish.<br>
<br>
On arrival in Randalstown, the Barracudas were stunned to see the
Derry-men led by a fresh import from Holland, Stefan van Kersten rated at
almost 1900. Philip was seriously out-gunned conceding over 300 points
but characteristically, he rose to the occasion and opened with sound
play refusing to give ground. Gradually Philip gained the initiative
claiming a couple of pawns here and there until the end-game approached
with Stefan under time pressure. In a spectacular display of
accurate play, Philip coolly despatched his opponent to claim an
excellent win.<br>
<br>
With their new board 1, Randalstown regular players moved down the
boards and Martin Rogers faced Richard Gould on board 2. Claiming lack
of match practice, Martin declined the gift of a Knight allowing
Richard to gain the initiative. In his usual resolute style, Martin
persisted doggedly to defend his position but Richard eventually
prevailed to claim the win.<br>
<br>
Ken Browne opened for Bangor on board 3 against Joe Rogers. Both
players were well matched in style and temperament and a tense
positional battle ensued. Throughout the game it was difficult to tell
who had the initiative with extremely careful manoeuvring from both
players. But it was Ken who made the break through, distracting a Black
Knight into an impossible position. With a piece-up and his opponent's
position in disarray, Ken hammered home his advantage to claim a second
win for Bangor.<br>
<br>
Bangor's board 4, Kevin Agnew has been busy through the summer
perfecting his Black defence and he eagerly took on Steve Eachus
expecting his efforts to be well rewarded. Steve, of course, had other
ideas and opened with an unusual Queen's fianchetto totally throwing
Kevin. But Kevin rallied well reaching the middle-game in good shape.
The balance of the game moved between both players with exchanges
giving each temporary advantages. A pawn end-game resulted with Kevin
promoting his Queen first. A lapse in concentration after nearly 3
hours and Kevin got caught in a check with his Queen in-line; forcing
his resignation.<br>
<br>
Gary Johnson and John Lines also had a topsy-turvy game on board 5.
Gary established an early pawn lead and consolidated with an additional
Knight capture. But his position was fragile and John gradually clawed
his way back to lead a Bishop end-game. Gary still had chances with
strong promotional opportunities with a pair of pawns and their King
reaching the corner. John promoted first, however, and with a clever
tempo move forced Gary to move his position vulnerable now to an
inevitable mate.<br>
<br>
A supporting board 6 between Bangor's Drew Ferguson and Ian Campbell
saw a risky Budapest response to Ian's Queen's Gambit. Drew's plan
worked though, and Ian rapidly lost control of the centre and to a
large extent the game. But Ian maintained a dangerous threat down the
long diagonal with Bishop and Queen. Drew forced an exchange to nullify
the threat and launched an unexpected attack first picking off pawns
and forcing Ian to retreat under check. Drew gained unassailable
material advantage and the game was almost over till Ian committed his
Queen in a last ditch mate attempt. The mate threat was empty but Drew
overlooked the potential for a perpetual check and failed to defend
against it conceding a draw.<br>
<br>
Perhaps not the best result Bangor would have wished for but good play
from everyone and some brilliance from Philip, plus Ken's resounding
win can only give the team confidence. Fortunately excellent hosts,
Randalstown, tempered the teams disappointment.<br>
<br>