Shrewsbury A were powerless to stop champions-elect Maddocls A from powering to victory and sealing the Shropshire Chess League division one title for the second year running.
The county town side were well beaten 4-1 in Oakengates in an encounter broadcast live on the internet, writes Peter Kitchen.
Francis Best’s team had gone into the match with hopes of keeping their own slim title hopes alive. But despite the defeat – only the team’s second loss in 10 league matches this term – they still have a chance of claiming the runners up spot if they win their two remaining matches.
Richard Vernon was drafted into the Shrewsbury side to replace the unavailable Mark Smith, with Dan Lockett moving up a board. Francis Best and Peter Kitchen also swapped places on boards two and three.
Maddocks, meanwhile, were unchanged from their convincing 4.5-0.5 triumph at fellow title challengers Newport A last time out.
Vernon competed well against the hosts’ captain Tony Preece on bottom board before missing a tactical trick that allowed Preece to break through and give Maddocks the lead.
The league leaders then secured the victory they needed with two convincing wins with the white pieces. Dan Lockett was struggling early on against a well-prepared Glyn Pugh, who was ready for Dan’s favourite Chigorin Defence. Lockett was unable to drum up any counterplay en route to defeat on board four.
Skipper Best was beaten in 21 moves by Andy Grillage on board two after a Jobava London System went awry out of the opening. Best lost a pawn to a tactic, then went in for a tactical sequence that ultimately left him a piece down with a hopeless position.
Peter Kitchen was going well for a long time on board three, winning an exchange early in the middlegame against Phil Bull’s favourite Dutch Stonewall. But his attempts to make progress on the queenside were rebuffed, and Bull whipped up a dangerous initiative on the kingside. Kitchen returned the exchange to try to stem the tide, but in chronic time trouble was unable to answer the threats and fell to defeat.
Nathanael Paul provided the bright moment of the evening. His victory on top board over Nick Walker may only have been a consolation, but it was a very well played knight ending.
Results (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Maddocks A 4-1 Shrewsbury A
1. Nick Walker 0-1 Nathanael Paul (w)
2. Andy Grillage 1-0 Francis Best (b)
3. Phil Bull 1-0 Peter Kitchen (w)
4. Glyn Pugh 1-0 Dan Lockett (b)
5. Tony Preece 1-0 Richard Vernon (w)
Shrewsbury have now slipped to fourth in the division one table below county town rivals Telepost A, but a top three finish remains in their hands. Victory in their final two matches away to Maddocks A on May 11 and Newport on May 26 would seal runners up spot.
The club would like to extend its congratulations to Maddocks A for a superb achievement. Preece’s side has won 16 and drawn two of its 18 matches over the past two seasons, which is a fantastic effort in such a competitive division. Well done Maddocks!