STEELE CUP Monday 29th November 2021 match report by Andrew Flood.
The Bradstow Mill was brighter than normal with the Christmas lights shining brightly. With evenly matched teams, would the Folkestone team outshine Broadstairs?
The experienced, and well-travelled (Folkestone is a long way away) John Atherton playing white had the early advantage on board 1 outrating Paul Carfrae who was playing on board 1 in the absence of Chris Stampe. The match went to form with Paul Carfrae coming second against his experienced opponent.
Although Broadstairs were down 1-0, the other boards were looking good for Broadstairs. Dominic was playing a strong game against his opponent and had captured his opponents Queen and looking good for a win. It was a shock when Folkestone extended their winning margine.
Fredy was playing a good steady and strong game against his opponent, and it later transpired that he had a mate in 2 opportunity during the game. Again, his opponent turned the game around to register another Folkestone success.
The game on board 3 was a long hard battle with few pieces exchanged or taken in the first 2 hours of play. gradually Broadstairs got the upper hand going 1 pawn and then 2 pawns up. With time getting late and a win already secured by Folkestone, David Erwee resigned his difficult to defend position.
So, what could have been a 3 -1 win ended up as a 3-1 loss. Not quite a steal in the Steele Cup, but a deserved Folkestone win that could have gone either way.
| Broadstairs | 1 – 3 | Folkestone |
| Paul Carfrae 1683 | 0 – 1 | John Atherton 1870 |
| Dominic Blundell 1630 | 0 – 1 | Kingsley Elete 1545 |
| Andrew Flood 1593 | 1 – 0 | David Erwee 1533 |
| Fredy Reber 1188 | 0 – 1 | Jimmy Philllips 1350 |