Spencer Tilbrook's chess column

Jul 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

IN the previous two columns we have looked at matches played by former British champion H E ‘Tommy’ Atkins, who resided in the town during his time as principal of Huddersfield College.

Huddersfield currently boasts another British champion in its midst, Robert Clegg, who last year won the under-150 section at Yarmouth.

Here is the game which clinched the title, against York’s Tim Turner, with annotations by the champion.

1.e4 e6

2.Nf3 d5

3.Nc3 d4

4.Ne2 c5

5.Ng3 Nc6

6.Bc4

This unusual opening is known as the Van Geet attack.

6... a6

7.a3 Nge7

8.d3 Ng6

9.0–0 h5

10.Ng5 h4

11.Nh1 Be7

12.f4 Bxg5

13.fxg5 Bd7

14.Nf2

This Knight plays a vital defensive role from the f2 square.

14 ... Qe7

15.Bd2 Nge5

16.Ba2 0–0–0

17.c4 f6

18.Qc1 Rh5

19.Bb3 Rf8

20.Bd1 Rhh8

21.Be2 Qd6

22.Rb1 Ng6

23.b4

White’s attack commences.

23 ... Kb8

24.b5 Nd8

25.a4 e5

26.bxa6 Qxa6

27.a5

Threatening Rb6.

27... Qd6

28.Rb6 Bc6

29.Qb2 Kc7

30.a6 Nf4

31.Bg4 fxg5

Blacks wins a pawn, but this proves to be irrelevant.

32.Rb1 Qf6

33.Bxf4

This move deflects the Queen away from the defence of its King.

33. ... Qxf4

34.Rxc6+

Now White mates in all variations.

34. ... Nxc6

35.Qxb7+ Kd8

36.Qd7# 1–0

The 2008 British chess championships start next Sunday in Liverpool. Details can be found on the English Chess Federation website.

http://www.englishchess.org.uk/events/bc2008/index.html

Spencer Tilbrook