A hard-fought 3-2 win over Maddocks B helped to put further daylight between Shrewsbury A and the drop zone and solidify their mid-table position in Shropshire Chess League division one.
The triumph was only the county town side’s second win of the season in the over-the-board league and their first since an opening day win in October, writes Peter Kitchen.
But Francis Best’s side have only lost one of their six league fixtures to ensure they are riding higher than expected in the table – the Maddocks win initially put them into the top three, and they now lie fourth, level on points with rivals Telepost A.
Wins for Best and then Nathanael Paul laid the foundations for the victory over struggling Maddocks B, and fittingly it was Will Apted who put the seal on the victory by drawing his game on bottom board on his first league appearance of the season.
Apted became the 11th player to feature for Shrewsbury A in the over-the-board league this season. He came into the side as one of two changes from the draw with Maddocks A last time out, with regular top board Paul also returning. Stephen Priestley – a late withdrawal – and Ivor Salter made way.
The first game to finish – somewhat unsurprisingly – was on board four. Maddocks’ Munroe Morrison has carved out a reputation as a very solid and difficult-to-beat player, and he agreed an early cease of hostilities with Shrewsbury’s Dan Lockett.
But Shrewsbury then seized control of the match on the top two boards. First Best defeated Gary White on board two, and then Paul won with the black pieces against Steve Tarr.
Apted than gave Shrewsbury an unassailable 3-1 lead with a draw against Mark Billington on bottom board, before Maddocks grabbed a consolation win when former county champion Simon Maydew beat Mark Smith on board three.
Shrewsbury are now four points clear of Maddocks B at the halfway stage of the season, while the visitors remain second bottom and in the relegation zone with just three points to their name.
Full scores:
Shrewsbury A 3-2 Maddocks B (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
1. Nathanael Paul (b) 1-0 Steve Tarr
2. Francis Best (w) 1-0 Gary White
3. Mark Smith (b) 0-1 Simon Maydew
4. Dan Lockett (w) 0.5-0.5 Munroe Morrison
5. Will Apted (b) 0.5-0.5 Mark Billington
The A team will next be in action over-the-board on March 3 when they host Oswestry A seeking their first league double of the season. Oswestry lie one place and three points below Shrewsbury in the table but do have a game in hand, and will be looking to avenge Shrewsbury’s 3.5-1.5 win on their trip to the north west of the county in October.