Apologies for the late March report, but I didn’t want to overshadow our expert reporter Martin Burns, who manages to make everything far more interesting than the secretary’s news items.
During the month we played another 21 matches suffering only 4 losses, and on the last night of the month we had 3 home matches and had an unbelievable set of results scoring 10.5 pts from 12 boards without losing a single board. This was incredible when you check out the teams as we were outrated in 10 of the 12 games with a deficit in rating of around 1100 pts. The biggest (and best) surprise of the night was to see Alan Lowe-Jones (member of Dad’s Army I team) defeat Fenton’s board 1 despite being lower rated by 477 pts. This must rank as one of the greatest ever wins by a Crewe Under dog !! Most of you will not be aware that Captain Steve Ballantyne (aka Captain Mannering) was expecting his team to be thrashed in the last vital two league matches, but should not have panicked with his trusty soldiers bringing home the first trophy of the season to clinch NSDCA division 4 in style, finishing off with a resounding 3.5-0.5 win over Fenton.
The other brilliant team results that night included a 4-0 whitewash by our G team over title contenders Cheddleton B in div 3. Super Mario’s charges have had a superb run of results since the new year to climb up the league table to second place and become the only team to defeat runaway leaders Holmes Chapel B. The rapid rise in youngster Tommy Cooke’s rating justifies his elevation to board 1 in the team.
Not to be outdone our K team put a major obstacle in the race for the division 5 winners, as they beat favourites Holmes Chapel C 3-1. To be fair the team was boosted by a cameo appearance on board 1 by Cardiff University bound George Bowkett to enable the team to move to mid table safety completing the campaign with a most respectable tally of 12 pts from 12 matches. The top of div 5 is hotly contested and will be decided tomorrow when Crewe’s junior L team play Cheddleton D in Leek. A win for Chedd gives them the trophy and any other result means Meir win as Holmes Chapel C slid out of contention following their 2-2 draw with Meir last night.
Taking a brief look at the NSDCA tables, Alsager “A” just need one point from 3 remaining matches to become League Champions. Division 2 is a three-way fight with Crewe F as favorites on 13 pts from 9 matches, just behind Crewe D 15 pts from 11; and 3rd place Stafford on 11 pts from 9. As Stafford play both teams above them next month, they control the destiny of where the title ends up.
In div 3 Holmes Chapel B (20pts) are almost certain to take the title as only Chedd’s B team can mathematically catch them as they have 5 matches to play inlcuding two head to heads with the leaders. Crewe G seem likely to finish as runners up but could end up 3rd if Chedd can beat the leaders twice.
The knockouts are nearing conclusions now with Macclesfield hosting Crewe in the Open Final; Alsager hosting Stafford in the Major final; Alsager at home to Crewe in the Inter final. Meanwhile the Perry Trophy has Cheddleton at home in the final against the winners of Crewe Perry 1 and Gables Perry 3 in the remaining semi.
Looking back at The Staffs Congress Report by Martin we had another winner with James Ratcliffe receiving the trophy as Staffs County U21 champion.
Also in the prize money was Keith Dudeney who excelled in the U1550 section. Starting as 34th seed out of 47, rated 1312 he performed superbly having scored an unbeaten 3 pts in the first 4 rounds before coming unstuck in the final round to finish on 3pts. The Chess Results Server showed Keith’s performance rating as 1594, as he proudly claimed his first congress prize in over 50 years. Well done Keith !
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1377426.aspx?lan=1&art=9&fed=ENG&flag=30&snr=34&SNode=S0
Hopefully, soon we will be taking a look at the Club Championship as we approach deadline day of 31st May. And to give advance notice to all members that the 2025/26 Swiss Rapidplay (6 rounds) will be played over 3 nights on June 2nd, 9th and 16th before I take a summer break.