Kingston knocked out of TV Cup by strengthened Richmond side

Kingston v Richmond, Thames Valley Knockout semi-final played at the Willoughby Arms, Kingston on 12 February 2024

Kingston were keen to retain the trophy we won last year when we beat Harrow in the final. However, we knew this would be a tough match, as only recently our first team were held to a 3-3 draw by Richmond A in Thames Valley division 1– a match which at one point they had looked nailed on to win.

We had strengthened our team with the inclusion of David Maycock and Peter Andrews, and we anticipated that Richmond would do the same. Their surprise inclusion was Casper Bates, who plays for the Richmond London League team but is not a Thames Valley regular, on board 3. Peter Lalić’s unorthodox opening, giving up a pawn, created the sort of unbalanced position in which Peter thrives. However, his opponent advanced his h-pawn, and Peter eventually ran out of time trying to stop the pawn promotion.

A couple of decisive games, one for each side, are discussed below.

Wall, G.
Maycock, D.
TVLKO Semi, Kingston-Richmond1
February 12, 2024
On board 1 David Maycock played ambitiously as Black in a Giuoco Piano and declined an opportunity for repetition at move 25 despite being down on the clock. A couple of inaccuracies by Gavin Wall gave him a chance to win material a few moves later with 29…Qd5! but he missed that chance and shortly afterwards lost a pawn. He lost on time in a losing king and pawn ending.
12345678abcdefgh
29…e3?29…Qd5Threatening Rf530.g3f331.Rec2e332.fxe3Rxe3−+30.fxe3fxe331.Bc3Bxc3?31…Rd7!32.Bxb4Rxd432.Rxc3Rfe733.Ng3Qd534.Nf5Re635.Rcxe3Rxe336.Rxe3Rf837.Qxg6Qxf538.Qe6+Rf739.Qxf5Rxf540.Re6Rf641.Rxf6gxf642.Kf2Kf743.Ke3Ke644.Ke4h545.g4hxg446.hxg4Ke747.d5cxd5+48.Kxd5Kd749.c6+Ke750.b4Kf7Black lost on time1–0

Hebron, A.
Taylor, W.
TVLKO Semi, Kingston-Richmond5
February 12, 2024
Will Taylor rapidly equalised as Black and, although the pawn position after a queen exchange was symmetrical, his better placed pieces gave him the initiative. He won a pawn but, short of time, gave his opponent the chance to enter a tricky R + 2P v R + P ending.43.Kf5?
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Will suggested that 43. Rc4 should lead to a draw with the best play.
43.Rc4!saves the game43…Kd644.f4a545.f5a446.f6Not46.Rf4?Rb2!47.Rxa4Rb4+wins46…Ke647.Kg5Rg2+48.Kf4Kxf649.Rxc5=
43…Kd644.Rh4Kd545.Rh8c446.Rd8+Kc547.f4a548.Ke6Re2+49.Kf6c350.Rc8+Kd451.f5c252.Kg7a453.f6Rg2+54.Kh8a355.f7Rf256.Rxc2Rxf70–1

This was a hard-fought match deservedly won by Richmond, who seemed to have an edge for most of the playing session.

Alan Scrimgour, Kingston captain in the Thames Valley Knockout


On the same evening, packed into the upstairs room at the Willoughby, Kingston 3 were hosting Epsom 3 in a Centenary Trophy (Surrey division 4) match. The match was drawn 3-3. Nick Grey and Ed Mospan (game) were the winners for Kingston, with Charlie Cooke and Greg Heath obtaining draws.

Author

  • Alan is the chair of Kingston Chess Club. He also plays for Cavendish Chess Club in the London League and for Scotland's senior team. Alan's other hobbies include golf and classical music

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