Anstey 2 took on their promotion rivals Loughborough 2 in a crucial encounter, looking to avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture. With regulars Bob, Matt “The Dark Destroyer,” Rob, and the returning Brian “The Griller” in the lineup, captain Boris stepped aside to make room for the promising junior Ted. Loughborough fielded a familiar team, setting the stage for a tense battle.

Ted’s Tactical Brilliance
First to finish was Ted on board 4, facing the formidable 1800+ rated Stephen Morris. Undeterred by his opponent’s rating, our teammate took control from the opening, preventing Black from castling safely. Fixing his opponent’s position in a bind, he launched Garry and Harry up the board, securing a powerful initiative. Black attempted to resist with his increasingly cramped and overworked pieces, but Ted’s precise calculation proved too much. A devastating sequence of tactical blows saw Black’s position collapse entirely, and with no counterplay available, the away team player decided to congratulate our teammate and resign. A crushing victory for Anstey’s rising star, showcasing his impressive attacking instincts.

Rob’s Kingside Blitz
On board 3, Rob took on another 1800+ in Reece Whittington. White expanded early, planting a strong knight on b6 and restricting our teammate’s queenside pawns. Rob, unfazed, counterattacked on the kingside, creating complications. With his opponent struggling on the clock, a costly blunder saw White drop the f-pawn, exposing his king. Rob pounced on the opportunity, delivering a decisive attack that left White defenceless. After a series of precise moves, Rob forced resignation, making it 2/2 against Loughborough’s strong third board players this season. A well-played, sharp encounter demonstrating both strategic awareness and practical time management.

Brian The Griller Holds Firm
Board 5 saw Brian “The Griller” return to action against the young Keir Hayden. Opting for a solid but passive setup as Black, our teammate found himself under early pressure, his king stuck in the centre. However, with calm defensive play, he exchanged queens and reached an endgame with the superior pawn structure but less active rooks. Both players attempted to impose their will by improving their pieces, pushing pawns and offering various exchanges, but with the clock running low, a pragmatic draw was agreed in the end. A resilient performance from “The Griller”, who neutralised White’s pressure and ensured Anstey maintained control of the match.

The Dark Destroyer Strikes Again
Matt “The Dark Destroyer” faced the ever-friendly Henderson Mullin on board 2. A steady opening saw our teammate gradually improve his position, squeezing Black into passivity. Struggling to find counterplay, the away team player sank into deep time trouble. Eventually, in a bid for activity, Black launched kingside counterplay, but Matt’s immediate reaction disrupted his opponent’s pawn structure and by placing a dominant knight on f4, Anstey’s first team captain paralysed Black’s forces. Under immense pressure and with seconds left on the clock, the away team player blundered an exchange, and Matt clinically converted the point. With precise positional play and a killer instinct in the critical moments, “The Dark Destroyer” secured an important win for Anstey.

Bob’s Defensive Masterclass
The final game saw Bob, with Black, take on Loughborough’s captain and rising star Ben Carpenter-Friend in a sharp and uncompromising battle. White gambited a pawn for activity, and our teammate, calling the bluff, found himself in a precarious position. His light-squared bishop remained entombed, and White’s pieces swarmed. Bob held firm, but having run down his clock, found himself sacrificing the exchange under time trouble. White continued pressing, but our teammate’s tenacious defence allowed him to regain lost ground. When all seemed lost, his pieces sprang to life, scooping up pawns with astonishing precision. White, now short on time, returned the exchange, leading to a famous Philidor position. With both players demonstrating their endgame expertise, a draw was the natural result. Bob’s resourcefulness and fighting spirit salvaged half a point in a game that could easily have ended in disaster.

A Resounding 4-1 Victory
Anstey 2’s dominant 4-1 win puts them level on points with Loughborough 2 in the promotion race. Next, they face Braunstone 1, a team eager to make amends for their earlier defeat against Anstey. With momentum on their side, Anstey 2 look set for another thrilling encounter in their push for promotion.

If you want to be part of the thrill and have your very own nickname, or if you just want a few friendly games, pop down to the Anstey Methodist Church every Thursday from 7.30pm.

Anstey’s second team falls just short of a win against close rivals Thurnby

On the 23rd of January, Anstey 2 played their final match of the first half of the season, welcoming Thurnby to the familiar confines of the Anstey Methodist Church. The team fielded a formidable line-up, featuring Julian “Mr. Engine” stepping in last minute on top board, alongside Matt “The Dark Destroyer”, team captain Boris “The Toaster”, Rob, and John “The Torturer”.

The match proved to be as dramatic and sharp as their nicknames promised, with a mix of decisive attacks, strategic battles, and heart-stopping time scrambles.

Board 4: Rob vs Bob Collins
First to finish was Rob, who wasted no time showcasing his incisive preparation with White. His opponent, Bob Collins, attempted to set up a sturdy stronghold, but our teammate methodically dismantled Black’s defences. A kingside breakthrough followed, and Rob launched a ferocious assault on the exposed black king. Black’s desperate attempts to defend cost too much material, and with no counterplay in sight, the Thurnby player resigned. A textbook win for Anstey and the perfect start to the match.

Board 3: Boris “The Toaster” vs John Pattinson
Next to conclude was team captain Boris, who initially adopted a passive stance against John Pattinson. However, “The Toaster” soon found traction on the queenside, where his opponent’s overly defensive approach allowed a powerful b-file passer to emerge. A declined queen trade by the away team player handed Boris a dynamic initiative, and he capitalised beautifully, winning material and achieving a decisive edge. While trying to hold onto the storm in time pressure, White’s flag dropped. A calm, commanding victory by the skipper gave Anstey a 2-0 lead.

Board 2: Matt “The Dark Destroyer” vs Ray Burgess
On Board 2, Matt faced Thurnby’s captain, the 1900+ rated Ray Burgess, in a tense encounter. The Thurnby player advanced on the kingside early, while our teammate struck out in the centre. The game hung in the balance, but time management became the deciding factor. As “The Dark Destroyer”’s clock dwindled, he sought to simplify but overlooked the latent power of Black’s remaining rook. Entering a losing endgame with only seconds remaining, Matt’s valiant efforts fell short, and Thurnby clawed back a point.

Board 5: John “The Torturer” vs Ross Martin
John’s game was another gruelling battle, as he faced Ross Martin on the bottom board. For much of the game, equality reigned, with White pressing slightly on the queenside while our teammate’s solid play kept things in check. However, time trouble loomed large for “The Torturer”, and the position began to favour White. Despite creating his own passed pawn, John couldn’t keep up with the demands of the clock. In a heartbreaking twist, his flag fell, gifting Thurnby an equaliser.

Board 1: Julian “Mr. Engine” vs Craig Norton
All eyes turned to the top board, where Julian “Mr. Engine” faced the formidable Craig Norton, a 2000+ ECF-rated player. The game was a high-wire act from the outset, with Julian opting for a critical line in the opening. The resulting middlegame was a minefield, with traps and tactical shots lurking everywhere.

Our teammate’s tenacity earned him a slight edge heading into the endgame, where he queened first. Yet under severe time pressure, the Thurnby player defended like a machine, steering the game towards a theoretical draw. Playing against a bishop pawn poised on the 7th rank with an advanced white king, “Mr. Engine” probed for any last chances but ultimately conceded a stalemate after a heroic defensive effort by his opponent.

Final Score: 2.5-2.5
The draw brought the match to a fittingly dramatic conclusion. Anstey 2 can hold their heads high as they end the first half of the season with 9 points, securing a commendable third place in the standings. Thurnby, two points behind, remain close rivals, ensuring the second half of the season will be one to watch.

Anstey 2 return on the 6^th February at home against the promotion favourites Loughborough 2 with renewed determination. Until then, well played, team!

If you want to be part of the thrill, or just want to have a few thrilling friendlies, pop down to the Anstey Methodist Church for a taster session! We start 7.30pm, every Thursday, all year long, so don’t be a stranger, just come and play!

(Report by your ever-faithful scribe, Boris “The Toaster”)