An under-strength Shrewsbury A side produced a gutsy performance to claim a 2.5-2.5 draw against county town rivals Telepost A in the first derby of the season.
Despite benefitting from a bottom board default, the hosts were outgraded on all four remaining boards of the Shropshire Chess League division one match, writes Peter Kitchen.
But they claimed draws on three of them to earn a valuable point. Stand-in captain Dan Lockett made sure of the draw by holding a difficult position against David Hodge on board three.
With Shrewsbury without two of the three highest-graded players, this will be seen as a valuable point. It leaves Shrewsbury undefeated from their first two matches, lying fourth in the early table.
Shrewsbury made one change for Friday’s “El Chessico” derby at the Nerdy Café. Regular skipper Francis Best was unavailable, meaning there was a very welcome return for club stalwart Ian Davies, who was playing his first competitive match for at least two-and-a-half years. Peter Kitchen missed out again, this time through illness.
Telepost were themselves without captain Matthew Clark, but still named a very strong and experienced side.
While Shrewsbury may have feared a difficult night when the teamsheets were handed in, they received an unexpected boost when Clark’s replacement Fred Bench failed to show, leading to a default win on bottom board and a 1-0 headstart.
Davies performed admirably on his return to club colours, but was eventually ground down on the white side of a Caro Kann by John Bashall, whose kingside initiative proved too strong. But all at the club were delighted to see Ian back at the board.
Nathanael Paul has enjoyed a very strong start to life at Shrewsbury, and although his five-game winning run for the club in all formats came to an end, he comfortably held Nigel Ferrington to a draw on top board.
In a match between the second and third highest rated players in the county, it was an understandably tight affair. If anything Paul may have had chances to push for an advantage in a rook and pawn ending, but solid play by Ferrington snuffed out any prospect of victory.
Mark Smith put in an impressive performance, making up a deficit of more than 240 points to gain a creditable draw. On the white side of a sharp French Winawer, Smith found a combination that saw an apparent queen sacrifice actually lead to the solid win of a pawn. But after Smith allowed an exchange of knights, the players reached a rook ending which Zabrocki held comfortably, hands being shook on move 28.
Lockett found himself under pressure on the black side of a Classical Pirc, reaching an ending with rook and two knights versus Hodge’s rook and two bishops. Fortunately, Hodge was short of time and had to take care of an isolated pawn, but Lockett admitted afterwards he was “relieved” to get the draw and ensure the match finished all square.
There won’t be long until the two teams face each other again – they will meet in division one of the online league on Tuesday evening.
The A team’s next over-the-board league match will be another home derby, this time against Telepost B on November 25.
Full scores:
Shrewsbury A 2.5-2.5 Telepost A (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
1.Nathanael Paul (b) 0.5-0.5 Nigel Ferrington
2.Mark Smith (w) 0.5-0.5 Phil Zabrocki
3.Dan Lockett (b) 0.5-0.5 David Hodge
4.Ian Davies (w) 0-1 John Bashall
5.Richard Vernon (b) 1-0 default