2003-2004
Lightning Tournament
1
2 3 4
5 6 7
8 9
|
1 K J Thurlow |
X |
1 |
1 |
˝ |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7˝ |
|
2 E Semm |
0 |
X |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
3 S Howell |
0 |
0 |
X |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
4 N Blake |
˝ |
1 |
0 |
X |
˝ |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
5 |
|
5 S Webb |
0 |
0 |
0 |
˝ |
X |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
4˝ |
6 M Harris |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
X |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
|
7 R Barnett |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
X |
0 |
1 |
2 |
|
8 I Bodsworth |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
X |
1 |
2 |
|
9 W Gibson |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
X |
0 |
This event took place just after Christmas and reverted to its old format of ten seconds a move. Nowadays most speed events are 5 minutes for all the moves, but there are special challenges associated with making a move every ten seconds, when a buzzer sounds. After 8 seconds you have an idea then, “OH NO!” you have to change your mind……
For your reporter, it was very much a fitness test following a short stay in East Surrey Hospital. The success of their treatment may be seen from the crosstable! But the result was not as clear-cut as it might appear. Norman Blake had an early win over Emil Semm, which stimulated Emil to fight back with a string of wins. Norman then had a solid draw with your reporter and lost to Roger Barnett. This put Roger on 2/2, which sadly was the extent of his scoring. Your reporter continued to grind out wins, without looking particularly convincing. Sue Howell had an early loss to Emil, but followed that with a series of wins. As we approached the end of the evening, your reporter had 5˝/6, but still had to play Sue and Emil on 5/6. The game with Sue was an epic. Your reporter essayed the Benko Gambit, and didn’t get a great position from the opening. Black regained the pawn and got some kingside play. However both kings were exposed with the heavy pieces still on the board. It got rather exciting and both players missed opportunities, before your reporter found a rook sacrifice to force mate. Emil had moved on to 6/7, and was the final opponent. A solid opening gave Emil a comfortable position, but he overlooked a tactical point which terminated matters. So your reporter collected his 6th consecutive Redhill Lightning Championship (18 in all), but as always one or two key moves proved crucial. If Sue had grabbed a vital pawn in the middlegame, it might all have been different.
Kevin Thurlow