Epsom 5 dispatches Kingston 4 in Minor Trophy clash

Minor Trophy (Div 5) - Monday 10th Feb 2025

6 boards, The Willoughby Arms, Kingston

Kingston 4 1 - 5 Epsom 5

Sean Tay of Kingston 4 (L) vs Robert Fairhall of Epsom 5 (R)

With Epsom 5 having a bumpy start to the season and having almost zero chance of winning the division a pivotal change was made to the team, bringing in 2 Epsom team debutantes, Gary Allen and Alex Banks.

First to finish, on board 6, was Gary Allen. Playing his first official match for an Epsom team, Gary had his game wrapped up in no time, giving the first result to Epsom 5.

Kingston 4 0 - 1 Epsom 5

On board 1 it wasn't long before Epsom 5 regular, James Pooler decided he would make quick work of his opponent. A London System on the board, James slowly gaining space on the queen side before deciding to challenge the central e5 pawn, with 15. f3 f6 his opponent decide to employ a misjudged counter attack with 16. Bxh6

1) What was blacks (James) response? Answer at the end

James opponent had overlooked the move the James played and thought that he had to capture the bishop with 16. gxh6 forcing perpetual checks and a draw.

Another 5 moves later, the game was won with James off to enjoy the live folk music downstairs.

Kingston 4 0 - 2 Epsom 5

3rd to finish, Alex Banks. Unfortunately it wasn't his night, a miscalculation costing him his game and allowing Kingston 4 on the scoresheet. Personally I think he got wind of the live folk music and wanted to wrap things up quickly.

Kingston 4 1 - 2 Epsom 5

Fortunately, Chess teacher and musician Pietro Silke Balerna put another Epsom 5 foot in the right direction.

Playing an English Opening against his evenly rated opponent, Pietro prodded and probed, the game remaining very even until move 30. at which point Pietro pounced.

2) Which move made black resign? Answer at the end

Black resigned and Pietro claimed victory.

Kingston 4 1 - 3 Epsom 5

With victory in sight, it was down to Epsom 5 stalwarts Alistair Mackenzie and Robert Fairhall to bring home the bacon.

Alistair Mackenzie on a good run of form looking comfortable with his game at this point, minus the low clock position. 2ish minutes to his opponents 10. Alistair knew he had a win and just kept applying the pressure and asking questions until his opponent succumbed and hung a mate in one. An away victory for Epsom 5.

Kingston 4 1 - 4 Epsom 5

Another player on a good run of form, Robert Fairhall, a Bishop for a pawn up, never looked like loosing, everyone now looking on in anticipation and desperate to get downstairs for the live folk music. Robert didn't disappoint and coolly converted his advantage to a win.

Final result: Kingston 4 1 - 5 Epsom 5

Answers 
1) 16. fxe5 Winning the knight
2) 31. Nc6+ Forking the King and Rook. Black resigned