I played in the Sussex home match against Middlesex last Saturday. The match was complicated for all concerned with general traffic issues affecting the area. The boards and pieces arrived with minutes to spare, while a number of players, particularly Middlesex ones, were late to the match. I managed a draw (with a little fortune) in my game, but overall Middlesex won comfortably 9.5-6.5.
In my game, I was White against Miroslaw Walkusz. My opponent, like a number of players, arrived late because of traffic issues. The game started with me adopting the English Attack against the Najdorf Sicilian, rather appropriate in a game between an Englishman and a Pole! While I didn’t choose the most effective line against my opponent’s slightly unusual defensive set-up, I did have compensation for my pawn, until a slip allowed by opponent to gain a distinct advanatge. Fortunately, at this point my opponent’s time shortage came into play, and, after failing to find the most incisive way to continue, he offered a draw, which I was happy to accept.
I give the game below with some notes.