Author: Francis Best

As one of the strongest teams in the Shropshire league, we knew that Newport A would provide Shrewsbury A with a stern test last Thursday.  However, we have often punched above our weight in the league and, without the relegation pressure of last season, we were determined to enjoy the chess and give the match… Continue reading A Team Misses out at Newport

Shrewsbury B team kept the pressure on their promotion rivals by beating Telepost B on Monday night. The evening got off to a chilly start in a room that felt colder to me than it was outside; definitely “coats on” conditions! Perhaps it was not so surprising then that the action included some fairly quick… Continue reading B Team Marches On

Storm Doris did not deter the enthusiasm on a cold, wet night heading for Newport to play their juniors.   We knew they were only fielding four players; one junior had jetted off on a holiday in the sun (who could blame him?)  With one default, it was agreed that the two juniors, Heath and Zak,… Continue reading Rolling Up Not Rolling Over

The last two A team fixtures were important, on the basis that a good showing would more or less guarantee our survival in the first division.  Of course, this was looking pretty likely anyway, as one relegation slot had been filled by Church Stretton’s demise and Newport B have been struggling this season, and look… Continue reading A Draw, A Win and We’re Safe!

Shrewsbury B team had their work cut out against Telford A last Friday.  Although Telford were missing a couple of their stronger players in Mark Keady and Munroe Morrison, George Kolbusz was available, which he hadn’t been in the reverse fixture.  The evening began with some hilarity over whether or not Wellington A were already… Continue reading So Close!

There was no shortage of incident and excitement in Telford last week as two division 2 games took place on the same evening.  It’s not my place to comment on Telford A vs Telepost C, other than to say that it ended all square.  Telford B vs Shrewsbury B was an interesting one, to say… Continue reading B Team Edge Thriller

Prior to this division 1 encounter, a number of club members had gathered for a presentation to Fred Harris, in recognition of his services to Shrewsbury Chess Club over the years.  Fred stood down as club President at the last AGM.  Formerly, he had been Secretary, as well as performing various services at County level.… Continue reading A Team Falls to Ludlow

I’m afraid it’s my sad duty to report a defeat for our B team, the first one since the opening game of the season against the same opponents. Wellington put out a strong team with board 3 graded 167, which would be a strong board 3 in division 1, let alone division 2. First, I… Continue reading Wellington A Too Strong for B Team

After being thwarted on several occasions when trying to play the Club Championship play-off from last season, Ile and Francis managed to battle it out on 16 December 2016.  Francis has annotated the game here.  

Shrewsbury B faced a tricky task against Newport Juniors as most of their players were unavailable for one reason or another.  Indeed, with just 3 players we were only just able to field a legal team.  I am indebted to Ivor Salter, both for acting as team captain and for providing the content that follows.… Continue reading B Team Hold Their Own Despite Two Defaults