Reigning Shrewsbury club champion Francis Best got his title defence off to the perfect start with a battling opening round win over Ivor Salter.
Best, who is also the tournament’s top seed, ground out a 60-move win with the black pieces in a bishop ending against a typically tenacious Salter, who as always was difficult to break down.
The club championship is traditionally a tournament with no easy games for any players, although the three first round games to have been played have so far seen the seeded players emerge victorious as two of the club’s newest members endured a difficult baptism of fire.
Dan Lockett was a convincing winner on the white side of a French Advance against Robin Nayman, while Stephen Priestley won nicely against Richard Vernon with the black pieces.
Two games are still to be played, with second seed Peter Kitchen due to have the white pieces against the experienced Norman O’Connor, while tournament organiser Tony Purser will be white against Mark Smith.
Players receive an extra half point if they play their game before the round’s deadline, meaning the remaining round one games must be played by February 11 for the players to claim their bonus.
The time control is 45 minutes for all moves with 15 seconds increment per move, and all games are played on Lichess.
Visit the “Club Championship” tab on the website for the latest scores and pairings.