Keverel Chess

All players turned up, as selected, and they were better matched than last year, which was reflected in a slightly better scoreline, though not enough to avoid a hefty defeat once again. Only three late wins by Abbot, Homer and Mackle managed to avoid a repetition of last year’s 12.5-3.5 thrashing. Mackle’s win was particularly eye-catching.

The 2nd team match also followed along the lines of last year’s encounter, with Devon outgrading Hants on every board. John Morrison had one of his better games and started the ball rolling with a crushing win in 16 moves and little over half an hour’s play, and Devon were never seriously threatened thereafter.

How does one account for Hampshire’s recent upswing in fortune? The answer lies in the enrolment of David Fowler as the County Recruiting Officer for their county’s teams. He makes it his job to get the best players out, but doesn’t have the worry of arranging accommodation, getting the refreshments and being in charge once the match begins. This lies with Dominic Tunks, who formerly did both jobs for Hants. The new formula is certainly working.

General view of the playing area.

Thompson v Mackle gets under way on Bd. 1.

Bill Ingham makes his move against McFaul.

Azerbaijani, Nijad Rahimili, from Baku, plays his 1st game for Devon.

One of the more colourful characters in the match was Nijad Rahimili, like Exeter University student Hannah Dale, playing his first game for Devon. Born in Baku and now 75, and has, since his wife’s death recently, moved to Torquay to live near one of his two daughters who work in the UK (the other lives in Newcastle). He used to be the political correspondent on Azerbaijan for USSR television. He has rubbed shoulders with many of the Russian chess legends, and can tell many stories about them. In 1963, he commentated live on TV on the World Championship match bewteen Botvinnik and Petrosian, using a demonstration board.