[Event "Caerlaverock Castle Classic"] [Site "SchemingMind.com"] [Date "2021.10.08"] [Round "-"] [White "Clive Everill"] [Black "Goz"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "C25c"] [WhiteCountry "CZE"] [BlackCountry "ENG"] [WhiteElo "1681"] [WhiteRD "61"] [BlackElo "1408"] [BlackRD "74"] [GameID "716249"] 1. e4 { Clive Everill: Hello again - been some time since we played :) All the best! Clive } 1... e5 { Goz: We were in the middle of the cricket season and Durham had just thrashed Warwick’s but it clearly was a wake-up callas Warwick’s then went on to beat all and sundry. And now that we are owned by those blood curdling Saudis, at least we have hope for the first time in about 10 years under Ashley } { Clive Everill: yes, that's right...and the mighty Bears went on to a terrific double - Championship & then thrashing Lancs in the Bob Willis trophy! :) I'm so thankful to Youtube for showing the Championship games - dramatic stuff, in the end! :) What a choice for the Toon - Ashley or Saudis...?! Well, they chose the blood stained cash - wonder if Bruce is on his way? } 2. Nc3 { Goz: Steve Bruce is definitely on his way, even he knows that. The only question is when. I think it must be before Newcastle play Spurs on Sunday. } 2... d6 3. Bc4 { Clive Everill: and miss his 1,000th game as a manager? A pity... :) } 3... c6 { Goz: Well he is still there tonight which I think suggests that the Consortium are not being very decisive in how there are going about it. } 4. f4 { Clive Everill: it's a bit late now, and would be rather mean...but it would also smack of typical cut-throat business } 4... b5 5. Bb3 Nf6 { Goz: The local news today said that Steve Bruce will be taking the pre-match press conference tomorrow “as usual” so presumably he will still be manager on Sunday. Perhaps he has been given a chance to turn things around ( while the owners look for somebody else just in case ! ) } 6. d3 { Clive Everill: I think it is just a matter of time, really. He's not the long-term manager after such a take-over, and I think he knows it } 6... Nbd7 7. Nf3 Nc5 8. Be3 Nxb3 9. axb3 a5 10. O-O { Clive Everill: well, not such a cracking first game under the Saudis - a false start, then back to same old, same old...but hey, I'm a Villa fan, and we somehow mastered a defeat when victory was assured!! :D } { Goz: The first few minutes were good ! It was in many respects good that the game turned out as it did because if we had managed to scrape a win, the Saudis might have thought things were not too bad ! We might now have to start the climb to the top of the Premier League and Europe from the Championship ! Villa’s defeat to Wolves was very impressive ! } 10... a4 11. bxa4 { Clive Everill: I saw the Villa highlights...still can't believe we managed that! :) Yes, looks like the Toon will do it the hard way. Difficult to see anyone wanting to go there at the moment... } { Goz: At least they have got rid of Steve Bruce which was essential. I am sure the challenge of sorting out Newcastle will appeal to quite a few rising stars in the managerial world. Just imagine if you become Newcastle’s manager and win a trophy - that would really be something on your CV ! } 11... b4 12. Ne2 { Clive Everill: I don't think the manager will be such a problem - more like which players want to go there? :) Probably need some grafters to stay up first! } { Goz: Unfortunately we have quite a few games until we can buy anybody in the January transfer window and it might be too late by then to avoid relegation unless the turnaround starts now. } 12... Be7 13. fxe5 { Clive Everill: I imagine Man U might have a few to offload by then :) Another poor performance from AV - we seem to have gone off the boil? } { Goz: I saw some of the game against Arsenal and Villa looked very poor. Still, I am sure there are enough worse teams ( including Newcastle at the moment ) to ensure that they will not need to worry about relegation } 13... dxe5 14. Nxe5 { Clive Everill: I'd agree...Norwich look certs to go down, and a couple of others are struggling...I think we've just lost our edge, but am confident we'll find it - not sure about the Toon. } 14... Bb7 { Goz: I think there is a serious risk that the Toon will go down, regardless of what happens in the January transfer window. They really are a very poor side at present. Only Wilson ( who cannot stay fit ), Saint Maximin and Dubravka would definitely get into a top Premier side. } 15. Nd4 { Clive Everill: Villa have been down that road - Smith did a good job to get us back up & playing some decent football. Back to basics - definitely need some grafters there to mix with the talent. } 15... c5 16. Nf5 O-O 17. Rf3 Bd6 18. Nc4 Bc7 19. Bxc5 Re8 20. Bxb4 { Goz: Watched Villa thrashed by West Ham today. Much to my surprise, David Moyes seems to be doing a really good job after his troubled spells at Man. U. and Sunderland. West Ham look a really good team capable of a top four finish and perhaps a cup. } 20... Ng4 { Clive Everill: back after a knee op - recovery in progress :) A lot has happened since then - Smith dumped like toxic waste - loyalty is a thing of the past...players are more to blame, but clearly more going on behind the scenes than has been let on (why did Terry & defence coaching staff leave etc?) - rumours of unrest amongst the players since Super Jack left - I'd have waited a bit longer, Smith's heart is for the Villa - wonder who we'll get...? West Ham go from strength to strength - Moyes looking good, found his mojo! As for the Toon - we might be joining you! :) Grim up north, and in Midlands! } 21. Rg3 { Clive Everill: so...Eddie Howe it is then? :) Happy? } { Goz: When he was first mentioned I thought he might be too much of a one club man and not able to step up to the task which would be required at Newcastle. However, I am now looking forward to his reign. I am sure that he will get Newcastle playing more positively and even if we go down, I am sure the team will be more entertaining to watch. Who for Villa now ? } 21... Bxg3 { Clive Everill: a tough one for the Villa - the Danish team manager has been touted, and I'm curious how that would work out...if Jan Molby could end up with a great Scouse accent, we could get him a neat Brummie twang! :) } 22. Qxg4 { Goz: And all the Villa players would become fluent in Danish ? } 22... Be5 23. Nxe5 { Clive Everill: :) now there's a thought...Gerrard is being touted now...ominous...I'm not convinced...but I'm sure he'll stay where he is :) } { Goz: He was also touted for the Newcastle job at first. What about him going to Man. U. as replacement for Ole - could you imagine the reaction of the Man.U fans to that !!!! } 23... g6 { Goz: I should concentrate more on the chess than the chat ! } 24. Nh6+ Kg7 25. Nexf7 { Clive Everill: :) I'm not doing it deliberately!!! :D } 25... Qd4+ 26. Kh1 Qxb4 27. b3 { Goz: Like you, I’m not convinced by Gerrard as a top manager. As for Eddie Howe, he has certainly started shaking things up. According to the Newcastle Journal, the players have already found his training sessions much more challenging than what it described as Steve Bruce’s fairly relaxed approach. } 27... Qc3 28. Rf1 { Clive Everill: sounds promising! :) Gerrard has to prove himself - a great opportunity, but is it too much too soon? A short break, then Brighton - that will be a challenge :) } { Goz: Brighton will not be a challenge - they are crap. Just pass the ball about without achieving anything. Somebody recently described them as Man. City without the goals which I think sums them up } 28... Qxc2 29. Nf5+ { Clive Everill: :) but they can pass! And they're doing better than we are...we should beat them, but I take nothing for granted with our team, who seem to be in free-fall - the rot needs to stop... Years ago, I used to live in Walsall and followed them & the Villa as they were at home on alternate w/e's - Walsall got promoted to the 2nd division (as it was then) and made a reasonable start...then they went on a losing streak...which lasted 15 games! A record, at that time (not sure about now?) - we fans used to think a win was around the corner...but it really does affect the mind of the team, the longer such a run continues. For us, at the moment, Brighton is a challenge! :D We need to stop the rot. } { Goz: I remember Walsall being in the Second Division. My recollection is that they made quite a good job of it, at least to begin with, and at one stage were close to the promotion positions. Did they also have a certain Alan Clarke playing for them then, before he went on to become famous with Leeds ? I went to watch the Blues play at Walsall once; I am trying to remember the name of their ground then ( without cheating by looking on Google j - was it Fellows Park ? } 29... Kf8 { Clive Everill: Wow! Your memory is good! I wasn't aware that Sniffer Clarke had played for them, but you're absolutely right! :) (I checked that on Google! :) ) Yes, it was Fellows Park, but I was there when it became the Bescot stadium - because of sponsorship, they now call it Bank's Stadium. They used to have a director, Barry Blower, who has his finger in many pies (he was boss of the Housing association I used to work for too!) Their nickname was the Saddlers :) The big name when I was there was David Kelly, who ended up at West Ham...and later on, the Toon! :) (35 goals from 70 appearances...that's pretty good...but they let him go?) It also says: He was named as Newcastle United's Player of the Year, but was allowed to leave the club due to the return of Peter Beardsley. Kelly remained a highly popular figure at Newcastle, even commanding a standing ovation upon returning to St James' Park in Sunderland colours. That is something!! :) } 30. N5d6 { Goz: Newcastle fans loved David Kelly because he always gave 100%. I have an abiding memory of him when we played at Grimsby and a win would mean we returned to the top division as champions. We were already winning 1-0 with just a few minutes to go when David Kelly was put clean through but he stumbled and nearly fell over but somehow managed to keep going before putting the ball in the net ( and then fell over ). He was actually our leading goal scorer that season - after the Grimsby game we played Leicester in the final game of the season ( Leicester were in the play-off places at the time ) and even though Newcastle were already champions they destroyed Leicester 7-1 and David Kelly got a hat trick. That was the last game he played for Newcastle and we were all very upset when he was sold but, looking back, it was the right decision. Kevin was aiming for the top and he brought Peter Beardsley in to make a lethal partnership with Andy Cole. That first season back in the top division Andy Cole scored loads of goals - over 40 I think - and I am sure Peter Beardsley must have made well over half of them ( as well as scoring over 10 himself ). } 30... Re7 { Clive Everill: Kelly always deserved better than Walsall - we knew that back then, though I'd have been happy if he'd gone to the Villa & not West Ham! :) Peter Beardsley! There's a name! My Newcastle memories go back to Malcolm McDonald! :) Maybe others too...? } 31. Nd8+ Kg8 32. N8xb7 Qxd3 33. Rd1 Qxb3 34. Nf5 Rxe4 { Goz: Super Mac was playing for Newcastle when I first moved to the North East and he helped to fire my initial interest in the club after watching years of mediocrity with the Blues. I also remember Jim Smith - he could be brilliant or useless with no in between - and Terry Hibbing supplying Super Mac. Also Frank Clark who was regarded by the fans as a bit of a buffoon but he proved them wrong when he went to Forest and was part of the European Cup team. } 35. Nh6+ { Clive Everill: Jim Smith & the Blues..yes ;-) Those were the days! I used to enjoy the local derbies :) Clark did very well at Forest - Clough was shrewd. I used to love Clough & what he did with Derby & the Forest (early on). } 35... Kg7 { Goz: Clough was an amazing manager - how he was able to get players who nobody else rated to be world beaters. And some player - I wish I hah had the privilege of seeing him } 36. Nf5+ { Clive Everill: A couple of good books about him & his story - worth reading ;-) I have a lot of memories from those days - would have made a great Eng manager, but would have upset the applecart a few times! :D Good win for Villa, as you said, though we left it late - great goal by Watkins - Newcastle frenetic! :) } 36... Kf6 { Goz: Newcastle’s performance was neatly summed up in one press report as “Impressive going forward. Hopeless in defence”. I think the rest of the season, even if it ends in relegation, is going to be exciting ! I would in interested in the details of the books on Brian Clough. } { Clive Everill: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Believe-Miracles-Remarkable-European-Cup-winning/dp/1472233581 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Provided-You-Dont-Kiss-Me/dp/0007247117/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=brian+clough&qid=1637655538&s=books&sr=1-5 } { Clive Everill: There are also some others, which I haven't read...but I enjoyed these two. The Damned United is a good film too, about Clough & Taylor } 37. Rd6+ Ke5 { Goz: Thanks for the information. } 38. Qd1 { Clive Everill: you're welcome :) } 38... Qxb7 39. Ng3 Rexa4 40. Ne2 Ra1 41. Nc1 Qb4 42. Qd5+ Kf4 43. g3+ Kg4 44. Qe6+ Kh5 45. Rd5+ Kh6 46. Qe3+ Kg7 47. Rd7+ { Goz: I keep trying to send messages to you on the Chess.com website but they do not seem to get through. How do you send messages ? I am getting fed up of not knowing what to do. } 47... Kf6 { Clive Everill: :( you have to go to the game - go to chat - write something, then SAVE it! :) Works for me...Sorry, I thought it would be easy...but I recall having a similar problem to begin with :D } 48. Qf3+ Ke6 49. Qf7+ { Clive Everill: I think I found a forcing line... ;-) } { Goz: Well played. It was very frustrating for me because I was only a couple of moves away from mate myself but I could not hide my king well enough. } { Clive Everill: thanks for the game! It took some figuring out! ;-) You had a win there...the turning point was 41 Qb4...perhaps Ra8-a2 might have clinched it? Somehow, you had to keep the pressure on...once I could get a check in, then I knew I had a chance...a good battle! } 1-0