Kevin Agnew breaks 12-year Drought

With a late assembly of players, Barracudas captain Drew Ferguson
approached the Portadown match with uncertainty. Fielding mostly
unrated players, and their sole rated member featuring on board 4 or 3,
Portadown were expected to be no push-over and might well conceal
unexpected strengths on top boards. A heavy loss against Bombardier
suggested they may not be quite match-fit. The Barracudas were not
going to underestimate their opponents and sat down ready for the best
Portadown could offer.<br>
<br>
Philip Todd returned to top board for the Barracudas against John
Canning. Despite his youth, Philip remembered having a hard-time
against John in an Open Tournament a while back and expected the worst.
And the worst wasn't long in coming. John defended strongly,
aggressively pushing his Queen uncontested to the third rank, right
into the face of Philip's King. But Philip responded calmly repelling
John's attack although losing a pawn in the process. Both sets of
forces retreated to start again, a deal more quietly. John maintained
his pawn advantage but Philip refused to give ground and as John came
under time pressure, a result looked unlikely and Philip gladly
accepted the draw.<br>
<br>
Martin Rogers on board 2 seems inspired at the moment and even claims
to be revisiting his old chess manuals "to combat these young up-starts
who know too much theory" he says. Although Portadown's Nigel Telford
may not be a "young upstart" he certainly suffered under Martin's
onslaught tonight meeting a rather inglorious end which Martin insisted
on replaying for the company; admittedly an elegant combination
dispatching the White King unceremoniously.<br>
<br>
Ken Browne faced Portadown' Colin Fenton on board 3; both tenacious
players. Ken immediately felt the pressure which Colin was able to
sustain throughout the game. Ken was forced to defend robustly and just
about managed to maintain parity. Time pressure was again the telling
factor and Ken gratefully accepted Colin's offer of a draw.<br>
<br>
The Barracudas travelling "Black Man", Kevin Agnew took board 4 against
John Lambe. For once, everything went Kevin's way with John leading
into Kevin's prepared lines. The critical moment came with Kevin's
Queen harassing John's Queen-side, a couple of minor pieces in support
and John's central pawns looking vulnerable. The situation looked very
dangerous for White but Kevin hesitated .. and hesitated some more ..
before committing the fateful move. Kevin's Queen captured a lone
central pawn simultaneously securing the centre for Black and launching
a full, frontal attack on White's King. John capitulated soon after.<br>
<br>
Bottom board, Barracudas captain, Drew Ferguson opened against Paul
Moorehead with an awkward Queen's fianchetto. Although Paul established
a strong, well supported central unit some uncertainty allowed Drew to
secure an advanced outpost with sustained diagonal threats from both
Bishops. Drew's extra mobility allowed him to pose several mating
threats while Paul was cramped behind his wall of pawns. Eventually
Drew broke through forcing exchanges to promote a c-pawn. With only a
Knight and a few pawns left, Paul's position looked hopeless till Drew
walked disastrously into a Knight fork, losing his Queen and almost all
superiority. Fortunately for Drew, Paul's flag had fallen and he
avoided another dreadful result.<br>
<br>
The final result of a 4-1 win for the Barracudas lightened their
journey home; more relief at narrow escapes than a convincing win.
Except for Kevin, of course, who notched up his first full victory
since returning to the game after a 12-year lay-off. There will be no
stopping him now.