Shrewsbury A were condemned to their first Shropshire Chess League division one defeat of the season, going down 3.5-1.5 at Newport A.
The visitors, missing two first team regulars, fought valiantly against their full strength hosts and the first three games to finish all ended in hard fought draws, writes Peter Kitchen. But defeats for Francis Best on board two and debutant Robert Green on bottom board in the remaining two games proved the difference between the sides.
The match was also available to be followed live on the internet, as Newport tested their live boards ahead of their use at the upcoming Shropshire Chess Congress.
Although traditionally not a happy hunting ground for Shrewsbury, the visitors made light of their rating disadvantage on all boards and gave their high-flying hosts plenty to think about for most of the evening.
Their line-up showed two changes from the draw against Telepost B last time out. Ivor Salter made his first competitive over-the-board appearance for Shrewsbury since before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, while Green – who joined the club earlier in the year – was brought in for his competitive debut on bottom board. They replaced the unavailable pair Peter Kitchen and Mark Smith.
Newport made just one change from their defeat to defending champions Maddocks A, but it was a significant one with the county’s number one player Nick Rutter returning on top board and Phil Love dropping out.
It was Salter, showing no ill effects from his time away from the board, who got Shrewsbury on the board. He secured a very solid position out of the opening against Thalia Holmes and a draw was agreed on move 20 – a fine result considering Salter was rated more than 200 points lower than his opponent.
The game on top board was next to finish, where an intriguing tussle between Nathanael Paul – returning to the club where he won many honours as a player during the past decade – and Rutter finished as a hard-fought draw.
Dan Lockett and Ian Jamieson also shared the spoils on board three in a very even game, before the match turned decisively in Newport’s favour on the remaining boards.
Debutant Green had aggressively sacrificed a piece in the opening against Stuart Ross but ultimately had little to show for it.
Sensing his teammate was in trouble, Best attempted to drum up some play in a level-looking rook ending with Chris Lewis on board two. But in doing so he over-pressed – Lewis’s c-pawn became the defining feature of the position and ultimately was pushed through to queen.
Shortly after Best’s defeat, Green succumbed to the inevitable in bottom board. But he can be proud of putting up a strong fight on his first appearance for the club.
Full scores:
Newport A 3.5-1.5 Shrewsbury A (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
1.Nick Rutter 0.5-0.5 Nathanael Paul (w)
2.Chris Lewis 1-0 Francis Best (b)
3.Ian Jamieson 0.5-0.5 Dan Lockett (w)
4.Thalia Holmes 0.5-0.5 Ivor Salter (b)
5.Stuart Ross 1-0 Robert Green (w)
This was Shrewsbury’s last over-the-board league match until Christmas. They will next be in action at home to defending champions Maddocks A on January 20, although the club will also field a team in the next rapidplay league evening at Telepost on December 19.