Father-and-son duo Francis and Matt Best made their own claim for a little piece of history as they lined up at the top of the order for Shrewsbury A’s much-needed 2.5-1.5 win over Shropshire Online Chess League champions Oswestry A.
The Bests were named as Shrewsbury’s board one and two – possibly the first time such a pair has been named on the top two boards for the first team in the club’s long history stretching back more than 100 years, writes Peter Kitchen.
Unfortunately the occasion was somewhat dampened by Matt – making his first appearance of the season for the club – not getting a game as he won by default on board two.
But with both sides some way below full strength, it helped Shrewsbury A to a 2.5-1.5 win that has seen them creep into contention at the top of the online league division one table. Best’s side now have six points from five games, just one point adrift of the two Oswestry teams.
Shrewsbury’s team showed two changes from the draw with Shrewsbury B in January. Nathanael Paul and Peter Kitchen were unavailable, as was first choice stand-in Mark Smith. Matt Best and Stephen Priestley came into the side on boards two and three.
An admittedly under-strength Oswestry also were forced to make two changes, with Charles Lowick Higgie and Adrian Bailey missing from the side that beat Shrewsbury B 3-1 a week earlier and Al Grocott-James and Gary Slegg coming in.
With Oswestry’s Brian Whyte failing to show on board two, it was clear that Shrewsbury would soon enjoy a 1-0 lead. This made Mehmet Altinsoy’s decision to offer Francis Best a draw on move 15 with the white pieces all the more curious. Having secured a level position out of the opening, the Shrewsbury skipper was all too happy to oblige.
Priestley then made sure of the points by defeating Grocott-James on board three, taking an advantage of an early error to win a piece on move 13 and progressing serenely to victory from there.
But Oswestry got a consolation win on bottom board. Dan Lockett made an ill-advised choice to sacrifice a piece early in the middlegame against Slegg and soon found himself with no compensation. He battled on to move 51 before accepting defeat.
Full scores:
Shrewsbury A 2.5-1.5 Oswestry A (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
1. Francis Best (b) 0.5-0.5 Mehmet Altinsoy
2. Matt Best (w) 1-def Brian Whyte
3. Stephen Priestley (b) 1-0 Al Grocott-James
4. Dan Lockett (w) 0-1 Gary Slegg
Shrewsbury A will next play in the online league against Oswestry B on March 9.