Castles and Queens in Mid-Devonshire

Some of my friends have said my blogs are too long. Actually it's not 'some' of my friends, it's Jonny Oldham. His attention span is clearly very short, and let's be fair, he's not very bright. So I'll keep it short this time and talk very slowly.

Down in Devon on Saturday morning, we woke up to The Western Morning News (voice of the West Country since 1860) declaring front page news that a great offer was starting today. 2-for-1 West country cream teas, details inside. I didn't bother to read the article. David Miliband had given them an exclusive interview, and in a scoop asked whether it is to be 'the end of the road for speed cameras?' I didn't read these either.

1 e4 c5; 2 Nf3 Nc6; 3 Bb5 Nf6; 4 Nc3 Qc7; 5 d3 d6; 6 0-0 e6; 7 Bxc6+ Qxc6; 8 e5 Nd7; 9 d4 d5; 10 a4 b6;11 Re1 h6; 12 Ne2 a6.

Once we'd woken up and taken in this amazing news, we set off for a walk on Dartmoor. Not too strenuous you understand, just enough to make us feel we deserved a lunchtime pint and lunch.

13 h4 Bb7; 14 c3 c4; 15 a5 bxa5; 16 Rxa5 Qb6; 17 Ra1 a5; 18 Nf Bc6; 19 Nh2 Nb8; 20 Qh5 Bd7; 21 Re3 Ra7; 22 Rg3 Qb3; 23 Qe2 Ba4; 24 Nh5 Qc2; 25 Qe1 Rh7

The Devonshire countryside is quite beautiful, with it's undulating hills, green fields and tree lined roads. We were expecting rain but none came. Egg ham and chips and a couple of pints and we were all pretty tired.

26 Ng4 Nd7; 27 Ne3 Qb3; 28 Bd2 g6; 29 Nf4 Be7; 30 Qb1 Bxh4; 31 Rh3Be7; 32 Nxg6 fxg6; 33 Qxg6+Rf7

Then it's back to Ade and Sue's for an afternoon nap. Up again and me and Ade do a bit of business talk while we are still sensible. Then it's time for dinner and wine. Couple of bottles of bubbly, a Chablis, and bottles of red.

After dinner its conversation, TV and games. Only this time I decide to challenge the others to a game of chess. Sue needs to go to bed as up early for work.

34 Rf3 Bf6; 35 Rxf6 Nxf6; 36 exf6 Kd8; 37 Ra3 Qb5; 38 Ng4 Rad7; 39 Ne5 Qxb2; 40 Nxf7+

I do pretty well to start with, attacking, confident, and decisive. The two of them are a bit undecided on tactics, but play safe. Although they are white and have started, they fall behind as I go one Castle up, following a cunningly devised trap. There can be no way back for them now. I'm starting to prepare my winners speech. Gradually the wine and over-confidence start to take over and then two fatal mistakes. For no reason whatsoever I hand over one of my Castles. Never mind, back to level pegging, and really I'm in a much stronger position. No problem, my Queen is controlling the board. Couple more moves, and why the hell did I do that? I've lost my Queen, just didn't notice that Bishop. Must have been in my blind spot, or just careless.

It's hopeless. Black resigns

Meanwhile back in 1974, on midsummer night, more or less, the sun had risen on the end of school party. The remaining few were wondering what to do now. The Tams had just finished 'Be young, be foolish, but be happy'. We were.

So we decided to go for a streak.