Saturday saw Hastings & St Leonards first outing in the Intro cup for many a year. This season we have a squad of 7 juniors who will be contesting this competition on behalf of the club and town.  And our juniors represented us well, being polite, courteous and professional.

Unfortunately results didn’t go our way with the team losing 3-1 but given this was the first time children had played a classical time control they all handled it very well.

On board three Alex took an early lead in his game winning his opponents queen in a terrible blunder but his opponent fought back valiantly and evened proceedings with a Royal Fork before going on to build a mating net and finishing the game. 1-0

Chamithu on board 2 drop a piece early on but then took his opponent into an opposite coloured B’s ending making it exceptionally difficult but not impossible for her to win the point. 2-0

Sister Thamadi on top board played thoughtfully and steadily for the whole match but over-looked a number of captures losing quite a bit of material, then cheekily offered a draw which was rejected. 3-0

It was then left to William to save Hastings’ blushes and he didn’t disappoint. Outgraded and giving way to a more experienced junior William played nice and steadily, not rushing his moves or panicking. In a blocked position he managed to open a file, dominate with rooks and then force the breakthrough into enemy territory. Then what happen next was brilliant combination to get the mate that not only took his opponent by surprise but both coaches too who also didn’t spot the mate. William the conqueror from Hastings!

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MID Intro Cup