Wednesday 23/11/2022. Anstey 1 once again travelled south to Market Harborough, this time for the away LRCA Division 2 match vs the MH first rather than second team. But this time Anstey were sent home with their tail between their legs after a comprehensive defeat.

Although outrated on paper by 7,768 to 7,031 Anstey came into the match in a buoyant mood after thrashing Wigston 3 4-0 last time out. The captains exchanged team sheets and battle commenced.

John played black against Ian Clarke on board 2 and was the first to finish. In a quiet game John had equalised fairly easily before white started harassing black’s queen then picking off the a6 pawn with his remaining knight. John rustled up some counterplay on the c-file creating a passed pawn on c4:

White didn’t fall for 23. Qxc4 when 23. … b5 wins the knight on a6 instead playing 23. b5! after which John blundered 23. … Qd5? allowing 24. Nxc7, game over. Market Harborough 1 – Anstey 0.

Not much is known about Mick’s game on board 4 with black against Romilly Ilersic (Editor: Poor reporting this…) but we think his trademark attacking play came to nowt against Romilly’s extremely solid play, Romilly hitting back in the centre and eventually taking victory. (Mick, please advise!). Market Harborough 2 – Anstey 0.

Even less is know about Julian’s game on board 1 versus Simon Gay (Editor: WTF?) apart from it was a close game and ended in a draw thus securing victory for MH. (Julian, please advise). Market Harborough 2½ – Anstey ½.

Matt faced off against Dave Walker on board 3 in a re-match from the Chapman Cup game earlier in the year. Dave played a slightly different line than before in the offbeat opening which allowed Matt to play a series of accurate moves to gain a slight but solid advantage. Unfortunately, in getting there Matt used up too much time on the clock so when it got to the business end of the game where things got complicated he blundered in time trouble before (yes, unforgivably) losing on time. It was a good job Ben wasn’t captain… Market Harborough 3½ – Anstey ½.

Anstey captain Matt Connor told BBC Radio Market Harborough:
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