The three Oxford teams returned a mixed set of results from rounds 1 and 2 of the Four Nations Chess League earlier in the month.

Back in division 2 after three seasons in the top flight, Oxford 1 averaged over 100 rating points more per board than their first round opponents, e2e4, and a comfortable victory was expected.

It was not to be and the 5.5 to 2.5 defeat will go down as one of Oxford’s worst ever performances. It was certainly a well-timed reminder that life won’t be all clear sailing in division 2 and Oxford bounced back with a hard-fought 3.5 to 4.5 victory over Poisoned Pawns the following day.

In division 3, where the other Oxford sides reside, it was a good start for Oxford 2 with a win against Hackney and draw against Southampton Saxons.

Oxford 3 were on the wrong side of a 4-2 score-line against Gloucestershire Gambits in round 1 and then held KJCA Knights to a draw in round 2.

This week’s game come from the Oxford 2 v Hackney match and sees Oxford’s Mike Healey engaged in a typically insane tactical contest.

White: Mark Lyell Black: Michael Healey

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Nd4!? An interesting alternative to the more common 5...Na5 6.c3 b5 7.Bf1 Returning the bishop to its starting square looks odd but it’s the best move.

7...Nxd5 8.Nxf7!? The knight sells itself as dearly as possible — but the resulting complications are not unfavourable for Black. Alternatively, 8.Ne4 Qh4 9.Ng3 leads to saner positions.

8...Kxf7 9.cxd4 exd4 10.Bxb5 Qe7+ 11.Kf1 11.Qe2 is more common — but the endgame is OK for Black. 11...Qc5 12.Na3 Be7 Missing White’s next move; 12...Be6 was better.

13.b4! Nxb4?! Better was 13...Qd6 but then 14.Bb2 would keep the initiative for White.

14.Bc4+ White’s intention when playing 13.b4 must have been to answer 13..Nxb4 with 14.Qf3+ Perhaps only now did he realise that 14...Kg6! 15.Qxa8 (15.Bb2!) 15...c6! 16.Bc4 Rf8 was very dangerous for him. 14...Be6!? 15.Bxe6+ Kxe6 16.Bb2 Rhf8 17.Qg4+ Qf5 18.Re1+ Kd7 19.Qxd4+ Bd6 20.Re2?! 20.Nc4! Nc2 21.Nxd6! would have kept the balance. 20...Rab8 21.h4?! Now if 21.Nc4 Black has 21...Qb1+ 22.Re1 Qxe1+! 23.Kxe1 Nc2+ and Black has good chances to convert his material advantage in the endgame. 21.f3 was better but 21...Nd3 maintains the advantage. 21...Nc6! 22.Qxg7+ Rf7 23.Qc3 Be5! 24.Qxc6+! Desperate — but the only way to keep the game going. 24.d4? Bxd4 25.Rd2 Qxf2+! was hopeless. 24...Kxc6 25.Bxe5 Rb1+? Gratuitously returning material. 25...Rb4! intending 26...Re4 would have been hard to meet. 26.Nxb1 Qxb1+ 27.Re1 Qd3+ 28.Kg1 Qxd2 29.Rf1 Qe2 After 29...Qxa2 White coordinates his forces with 30.f4 and then 31.Rh3 and 32.Kh2. 30.f4! Rd7 31.Rc1+ Kb7 32.Rh3 Rd1+ 33.Rxd1 Qxd1+ 34.Kh2 Qd5 35.a3 c5 36.Rg3 White gets ambitious — but this is risky. After 36.Rc3 White has a fortress and there’s very little black can do to break through. 36...Qe4 37.Rg7+ Kb6 38.Rd7 a5 39.Rd6+ Kb7?! Why not 39...Kb5 targeting White’s a pawn? 40.Rh6 Qf5 Having reached the time control, the players agreed a draw — but Black could still claim winning chances after the alternative 40...c4.

The Cowley Christmas Blitz competition is taking place from 7pm on Monday, December 10, at its usual venue: Rose Hill Methodist Church’s main hall.