Chess defeat

Last night I played my second game for the Reform Club which ended in personal and team defeat.

This was no disgrace as our opponents – the RAC – are the Manchester City of club chess.  They host the Varsity Match and their chess dinner usually attracts a British Grandmaster.

Before my actual match on board three I had a quick game with the Chairman of the RAC chess club. Years ago, when I was member, I played for them and was delighted to learn the then board one was still with us aged 87.

My opponent last night was a loquacious Southern Irish businessman. He was a canny player, batting off my ferocious king side attack to win in the end game.

I often find I play to this pattern – an early attack successfully defended, leaving me few options.

There probably was a clever combination, or even a mate, but if those existed I did not see them.

Afterwards we had dinner and I sat next to my opponent, who turned out to be a Fulham supporter and sports lover.

He informed me that the Irish coach Andy Farrell had a son – younger than Owen – who has chosen to play for Ireland.

Mr room at the Reform Club was ‘ without facilities ‘ which meant I had to use the WC in the corridor.

This reminds me of the true story when my parents on holiday stayed in such a room. My late father, needing the loo in the night, grabbed the first garment he could find which turned out to be my mother’s frilly negligée.  This got caught in the door and my mischievous late mother showed no inclination to rescue him from his embarrassing situation in the corrridor!