Superior class eventually told as Shrewsbury A were outgunned by a formidable Oswestry A side in the online top-of-the table battle.
The A’s put up a tough fight before going down 3-1 to their higher-rated opponents, who now have a three-point lead at the top of Shropshire Online Chess League division one.
Victories with the black pieces for both Mehmet Altinsoy and Leon Cox on boards two and four proved decisive as the league leaders ultimately were just too strong.
Francis Best and Mark Smith both battled to excellent draws in their games against Brian Whyte and Tim McMahon respectively.
Shrewsbury have now slipped to third in the four-team table, with games against Oswestry B and Telepost A to come.
Shrewsbury made one change, with Smith coming into the team for the unwell Stephen Priestley and Dan Lockett dropping down to bottom board. Oswestry were unchanged from their recent win over Telepost A.
Oswestry took the lead when Leon Cox defeated Lockett on bottom board and Smith drew with McMahon on board three after a battle lasting some 70 moves.
A fine exchange sacrifice from Turkish player Mehmet Altinsoy made the difference on board two. Peter Kitchen had enjoyed an active position on the white side of a French Tarrasch, but despite winding up material ahead, ultimately found himself under pressure, both on the board and on the clock, and eventually lost the ending.
Best’s game also went the distance on top board, eventually securing a draw by repetition in an ending with a king and bishop versus Whyte’s king, knight and b-pawn.
Oswestry club spokesman Chares Lowick Higgie was magnanimous in victory, praising Shrewsbury for their “strong resistance”.
The A team will next be in action in the week commencing February 28th when they will face Oswestry B.
Full scores (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Shrewsbury A 1-3 Oswestry A
1.Francis Best (b) 0.5-0.5 Brian Whyte
2.Peter Kitchen (w) 0-1 Mehmet Altinsoy
3.Mark Smith (b) 0.5-0.5 Tim McMahon
4. Dan Lockett (w) 0-1 Leon Cox