Barking (Essex League Champions) 3½-8½ The Rest of the League
Eighteen months after the last pawn was moved in the 2019-20 Essex League, Barking who were finally declared Champions at the ECA AGM on 24 June 2021, challenged The Rest to the traditional curtain-raiser to the new season (2021-22), as we cautiously return to over-the-board chess, having lost the 2020-21 Season to the pandemic. Before the match, Barking were presented with the League Championship trophy.
Despite holding a clear rating advantage, Barking soon found that the visiting Rest side meant business. For over 90 minutes it was one way traffic, with Barking’s first win not coming until 9.10, by which time, The Rest were within a point of crossing the winning line, which they achieved five minutes later. Barking added two points to their total, but The Rest had prevailed by a startling five point margin at 8½-3½.
With thanks to Mark Murrell, whose blow-by-blow account you can read in the Match Report – link below.
Link: Match report