This week, all three Luton chess club teams were in action. I wasn't able to follow all the games; here are some of the highlights.
Tuesday was a home match for the University of Bedfordshire v Bedford D. Three of the team of five are new to this season.
On board 5, a well prepared Yusuf Khan, Luton's youngest player in the league, played aggressively against the more experienced Mahmoud Dairi, the father of one of the strongest juniors in the country, Ramsey Dairi of Bedford. Mahmoud didn't fall into the opening traps laid by Yusuf, but was overpowered on the Kingside against a Black Queen and Rook attack against the King. Luton has been increasing it's junior squad, and Yusuf has emerged as one of the most promising talents.
Board 1 was a crowd pleasing game between our newest player, Abiodun Nelson and Bedford's rising star, Abigail Mangarayi. The game looked even, Abigail attacking Kingside and Abiodun countering Queenside. Abiodun was the exhange up, but had to keep artillary back to defend against Abigail's army threatening mate. After much repositioning, and with time running out, Abigail blinked first and Abiodun's passed pawn became unstoppable in a thriller.
Final result, University of Bedfordshire 2-3 Bedford D. A fine result given that Luton's third team is to give new players a chance to play in league matches and develop skills.
Meanwhile, in another room it was Luton B facing the much stronger Leighton Buzzard A. After losing on boards 1, 2 & 3, the lower boards kept the kettle boiling. Aleks Juhasz had an unbalanced game against Kevin Williamson on board 5. Kevin had Queen, Knight and pawns , Aleks Queen, Bishop and pawns. Both Queens were active but Aleks was snapping off enemy pawns and Kevin didn't like his odds and went for a perpetual for a draw.
Jonadab Oki was playing Brian Valentine. A Rook and minor piece endgame was reached with Jonadab a pawn down, but played accurately and despite Brian's best efforts, a draw was the final outcome. One Leighton Buzzard player was to comment, that Luton's board 4, Jonadab Oki has been noticed and was the strongest player and should have been on board 1. Final result, Luton B 1-4 Leighton Buzzard A.
Then on Thursday it was the turn of the first team away at the Open University against Milton Keynes A. Peter Montogmery, standing in for Kamil as captain, was the first to finish against Rob Whiteside. Peter played an opening he knew well, and the game looked interesting and unbalanced until Rob blundered a piece and didn't fancy continuing against Peter "The man who beat Korchnoi". Board 5 was also a win for Luton, but thereafter, the higher boards struggled to hold on, though not without giving a good fight. Final result, Milton Keynes A 3-2 Luton A.
At the time of writing, the March ECF ratings have been published and Luton currently has over 30 rated players, ranging from over 1300 to 1900 Elo active in the league. Many of the newer players, Abiodun, Eustace, Jonadab & Yusuf have been impressive over the board. Credit where it's due, to Peter Montgomery, for running the club every week from the University of Bedfordshire Library from where new players to league, from all ages have emerged.