Shrewsbury C have risen to second place in Shropshire Online Chess League division two after securing three points from two matches in the space four days against Newport A.
Richard Vernon’s team drew the first encounter between the sides, before claiming a convincing 2.5-0.5 triumph in the reverse fixture, writes Peter Kitchen.
It means the C’s have leapfrogged Newport to lie second in the table, three points adrift of long-time leaders Telford A having played a game more.
The top two teams will meet on Tuesday (March 14), with Shrewsbury needing a win to give themselves any hope of an unlikely last-gasp tilt at the title.
Newport’s first team is one of the strongest in the county and is again in the running for the over-the-board Shropshire Chess League title. But their first teamers do not feature online, meaning Newport A’s online league side includes players who have featured in the OTB second and third divisions in recent years.
The teams could not be separated in their first contest of the week. Captain Vernon gave his side an early lead with a win on bottom board, but Will Apted went wrong in the middlegame and lost his game.
Tony Purser played out a tense draw with Malcolm Price on top board to ensure the spoils were shared.
The second match saw both teams strengthen their line-ups, with occasional first team player Matt Best stepping in to anchor the team on board one in place of the unavailable Apted.
Newport also reinforced their side by bringing in Andrew Jones on top board – but Best won their encounter and Vernon again defeated Andrew Davies – this time with the white pieces – to secure the win.
Purser again found himself playing black against Price – and just like their first encounter, their game ended in a draw.
The C’s have seven points from seven league games – but will need to win their remaining two fixtures and hope for favours from others to stand a chance of overhauling Telford A.
Full scores (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Shrewsbury C 1.5-1.5 Newport A
1. Tony Purser (b) 0.5-0.5 Malcolm Price
2. Will Apted (w) 0-1 Colin Parker
3. Richard Vernon (b) 1-0 Andrew Davies
Newport A 0.5-2.5 Shrewsbury C
1. Andrew Jones 0-1 Matt Best (w)
2. Malcolm Price 0.5-0.5 Tony Purser (b)
3. Andrew Davies 0-1 Richard Vernon (w)