Unfortunately, at the time of writing, my only league defeats have been at the hands of Stannington A. We have to get promotion now - at least so that I don't have to play against them again next season....
1.e4
e5
2.Nf3
Nc6
3.Bb5
f5
I've never come across this before (to be fair, most opponents don't seem to play 2. ... Nc6 these days, so I was happy to have got three moves into a Ruy Lopez!). It feels wrong somehow - weakening your kingside so early in the game.
4.d3
My white-squared bishop is developed - so this seemed a sensible reinforcing move.
4...d6
5.Nc3
Nf6
6.Bg5
Be7
7.Qd2
0-0
8.Bc4+
Kh8
9.h4
This was supposed to be the start of an all-out assault on the kingside, but as Andy mentioned after the game, it just never materialised.
9...Na5
10.Bb3
Nxb3
11.axb3
fxe4
12.dxe4
Bg4
13.Nh2
Kicks the bishop away... but this knight is now marginalised.
13...Be6
14.f3
c6
15.0-0-0
b5
16.g4
a5
17.Bxf6
Rxf6
18.g5
Rf8
19.Rdf1
a4
20.bxa4
b4
21.Nb1
Rxa4
22.b3
Ra1
I had seen all this but felt that I had sufficient time to pick up the extra pawn and still get back to defend b2. However, I had underestimated the attack that Bryan could get going through the centre with d5.
23.Qxb4
d5
24.Qc3
Qa8
I had planned 25. Qb2 but here it just loses 25. Qb2?? Ba3.
25.Kd2
dxe4
I had a long think here, unsure of whether to capture on c6, e5 or back on e4. I felt like e4 was the best because it cut the white-squared bishop out of the game, at least for now.
26.fxe4
Rd8+
27.Ke3
Qa7+
28.Kf3
Rxb1
The start of a great sequence that eventually wins both my rooks - possibly only avoidable on move 32 by returning the exchange.
29.Rxb1
Rf8+
30.Ke2
Qf2+
31.Kd1
Ba3
I had seen all of this - and felt that I could hold in this position by forcing off the queens. However, I missed a great resource from Bryan. I think my only chance here was probably 32. Rb2 where I return the exchange and free up some squares for my king.
32.Qd2
Bg4+
A great sacrifice. After this, both rooks are lost.
33.Nxg4
Qf3+
34.Qe2
Qxh1+
35.Kd2
Qxb1
I had moved my queen to free up d2 for my king, rather than e2 where I was nervous of the vulnerability on f1. However, now my king is running out of squares.
36.Nxe5
Not just pawn grabbing - I thought I could get my knight back to d3. But I hadn't seen what Bryan had in store.
36...Bb4+
37.Kd3
Qb2
Dual threats of 38. ... Qxe5 and 38. ... Qc3#
38.Qe3
Making space for my king... and losing my queen after another tactic from Bryan.
38...Qc3+
39.Ke2
Qe1+
40.Kd3
Rd8+
I resigned - on account of 41. Qd4 Qd2+ 42. Kc4 Qxd4+ and the end is nigh, or 41. Kc4 Qxe3 where I'm just a queen and the exchange down... So that's two games against Stannington A this season, and two defeats. Next up, Rotherham Juniors C on Friday night and an early chance for redemption. 0-1