The A team played against Telepost A on 12th May in the first round of this year’s Cox Trophy competition. After our fairly lack-lustre performance in the league this year, it looked on paper as though we would be up against it on the night. Difficulties in parking meant that I turned up a bit late and the other three games were already under way. Richard Bryant had sportingly not started his clock and I observed that the home team was missing big guns Nigel Ferrington and Phil Zabrocki.
David quipped that he had won the toss in my absence, with Richard retorting that they were now playing for four draws to take advantage of this. My game proceeded with a Tarrasch French, which remained tense throughout the opening. Meanwhile, on board 2, David appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory. Already a pawn to the good, he set a cunning trap, whereby his opponent, John Bashall, could move his knight to c7, apparently trapping Black’s rook on a8. However, a check on e5 with David’s queen forked the hapless steed, forcing the Telepost player’s resignation.
Boards three and four were also looking promising for Shrewsbury. Peter had a dangerous looking passed pawn in a Queen and minor piece ending against Matthew Clark and Ian was material up against Vinnie Crean. I was starting to feel optimistic!
On board 1, I was starting to build up pressure against Richard’s knight on d7, which was pinned against his queen on e8. Shortly after this, both Ian and Peter won and we were clear. Richard attempted to gain counterplay by sacrificing a minor piece but it proved ultimately futile, giving the Shrewsbury team a 4-0 victory.
Telepost A 0-4 Shrewsbury A
- F. Best 1-0 R. Bryant
- D. Everington 1-0 J. Bashall
- P. Kitchen 1-0 M. Clark
- I. Davies 1-0 V. Crean
Francis Best