Steve B (SHNC) vs Hunter H (Ilkhanid) 

It was with some nervousness that the mighty Il Khan took the field against the SHNC of the wily Steve B. in the curtain opener of the 2008 PWC FOG Club Competition.   Mr B had been receiving some intensive coaching from club FOG doyen and beta tester “Loophole Munro” in his spare bedroom – rumour had it they’d even had time for a few games of FOG when John’s wife, Margaret, had been at home – and an upset was not inconceivable.

Both sides deployed for battle with the Il khan taking the honours on PBI.   As the grey mist rose and the red mist fell it became clear that Steve would deploy and debouch from his left corner whilst the Turkic/Mongol horde swirled around the largely open area of the battlefield.   Steve debouched in measured tread under the watchful eyes of his military advisors who offered wise grunts and strange body noises to steer him away from any rash measures.   The game looked set to be one of manoeuvre and counter manoeuvre but to the experienced eye there was always a sprackle in the offing between the chivalry in both sides.   In true pokeresque style the Il khan committed his Franks against the Spanish nobility and chucked his armoured cavalry in support.   Amid cries of “Ole Ole Ole, we doan need no stinkin drilled” the Spaniards made short work of the Franks and the coup de grace was delivered by Steve’s medium foot demolishing a couple of BGs of armoured cavalry foolish enough to charge them in the open after shooting them disrupted.

As the big hand crawled round to 12 to reach 1000 and signify the end of game the Il Khan conceded defeat.

Only the dogs chance now stands between the 24^th ranked UK player’s continued presence in the competition and an ignominious first round exit.

• Final score Steve B 13:7 Hunter H