Torn Apart by Timmy's Dad

Going into last night's London League match against Streatham, I was on 7½/9 for Drunken Knights this season. Within 90 minutes, that turned into 7½/10 after this spectacular pile of garbage.

I was paired on Board 3 against Middlesex colleague Andrew Stone, who bears a decent resemblance to Timmy's Dad in the cartoon Fairly Odd Parents.

Andrew Stone, pictured last month, upon learning his Rapidplay grade had dropped 12 points

Andrew Stone (199) - (185) Phil Makepeace

White's just played 13. Ng5 after a Fantasy Caro. There's nothing wrong with Bd7, but I saw some fruit and went for it. 

13... Bg4!? 14. Qxg4 Qxe3+ 15. Kb1 Qxd4!? 16. Rhe1+ Kf8 17. c3

17... Qf6

Forced. 17... Qa4 runs into the stunning combination 18. Nxf7 Kxf7 19. Qe6+ Kf8 20. Qd6+ Kg8 21. b3 Qa5 22. Re7 with mate to follow.

18. f5 

18... h6?

Not sure why I didn't take the pawn. It certainly looks like black's hanging on well after 18... gxf5, though white would obviously have excellent compensation for the pawn.

19. Nh7+!

Oof. 

19... Rxh7  20. fxg6 Rh8  21. Qb4+ Kg8  22. gxf7+ Qxf7  23. Rf1 Bf8?

Allowing forced mate.

24. Qg4+

SIGH.

1 - 0

Reader Letter III

Alright you horrible lot! If a winter break is good enough for European footballers then it's good enough for us. Don't pretend you missed us.


And with our return we bring you another letter we've received from Ms. D Fault of Sevenoaks. 


Dear CJ,

Where on earth have you been? Daphne came round for afternoon tea last Thursday and told us you were in a pantomime, whatever that is. Cyril tells me it involves foolishness and tights, two of our least favourite things. We believe in a good long sock.

We have also heard that you are fraternising with the man that poor old Gerry refers to as 'him'. Please desist.

Yours,


Deborah Fault