No apology is required for offering a second game by Nick McBride as our Game of the Week. It may well be a reflection on Broadstairs Chess Club but it is, in effect, more a reflection on Nick and his chess. He did not play enough games before the July grading list to qualify for a grade and on the basis of his games in the early part of the season he was awarded an estimated grade of 160. Since then he has played enough for a re-assessment and, taking everything in account, this has been agreed at 181. It may well be officially re-assessed when the new grades come out in January but in the meantime, let’s appreciate Nick’s games for what they are. This was a well-played game which, when we all looked at it, offered nothing nothing for White who appeared to be in total zugzwang – which Nick later admitted – until he found 30.c5!
White: Nick McBride (e160) Black: Martin Cutmore (178)
Millar Cup v Folkestone