Shrewsbury A took a step closer to Division 1 safety as an emphatic dispatching of struggling Ludlow ensured Francis Best’s side will spend Christmas in the top half of the table.
Boosted by the availability of son Matt – back for Christmas from his university studies at Exeter – Francis was also able to call upon his regular trio of Dan Lockett, David Everington and Peter Kitchen, meaning his side held a grading advantage over their hosts (who had lost all their preceding fixtures this season) on three of the five boards. However, Ludlow still possess a useful side and after a lengthy trip in the driving rain, there was no expectation of any early Christmas presents.
However, that was exactly what happened to Peter on board five against Ludlow skipper Paul Munday, when he won a piece early on in the game, having already been a pawn up. That fact, combined with solid positions on all other boards, may have played a part in Francis’ decision to go for a spectacular piece sacrifice on top board against Richard Croot – an engaging encounter which will shortly be uploaded to the interesting games page (in between copious consumption of food and possibly the occasional drink). The game began as a Grand Prix Sicilian, and Francis’ Kingside attack gradually developed, culimating in a checkmate just 21 moves in to give him his first win of the season (although that doesn’t do justice to the level of performance he has shown against the county’s elite). You can play through the game here (or see “Interesting Games” tab).
Shortly before that game finished, David wrapped up another delightful win – also, one that will hopefully make it onto the website, hopefully with inebriation-free annotations – on board three against John Preece. In what can only be described as a typical David performance – Pawns offered up with sublime judgement in the opening in return for tempi and development, he blasted through with a devastating attack, securing the victory in exactly the same number of moves as Francis. It wasn’t long after that that the (typing that looks completely wrong, but I think it makes sense!) points were secured – Matt polishing off Robert Woodley after securing a superior Pawn structure in a Rook and Pawn ending and converting that into a Pawn advantage, gradually building up to a trivial win with King, Rook and Pawn against King and Rook.
Elaborate decorations were then lavishly applied to the metaphorical cake when Peter wrapped up his win after a comfortable evening – quite how Munday survived so long is impressive – and only an unfortunate slip by Dan on board two against David Bucknell (he lost his Rook when he could have won a Pawn after an impressive performance) after a long day allowed the hosts any consolation.
So, top half of the table for now, although a very tight table means just one point separates the A team from the dreaded drop zone – nothing will be taken for granted! In the meantime, have an excellent Christmas and a thoroughly enjoyable New Year (and, of course, the days in between) – and if you haven’t already, then for heaven’s sake enter the Shropshire Congress!
Shrewsbury A 4-1 Ludlow A
- F. Best 1-0 R. Croot
- D. Lockett 0-1 D. Bucknell
- D. Everington 1-0 J. Preece
- M. Best 1-0 R. Woodley
- P. Kitchen 1-0 P. Munday