The drought is finally over for Shrewsbury A who have finally picked up their first Shropshire Online Chess League division one victory – at the 14th time of asking.
Shrewsbury came from behind to beat an Oswestry B side containing International Master and former British champion Paul Littlewood 2.5-1.5.
Despite Francis Best being convincingly beaten by Littlewood on top board, Dan Lockett triumphed with the black pieces against Adrian Bailey on board three to level the scores. Peter Kitchen completed the turnaround, making up a 260-point online rating deficit to beat Charles Higgie in the deciding game on board two.
The result hauled Shrewsbury off the foot of the embryonic table, and represents something of a breakthrough for the club. In the inaugural online league last season, Shrewsbury A drew one and lost nine of their matches to finish bottom, and had lost their opening fixture this time around against Oswestry A 3.5-0.5.
It will also help raise morale ahead of the big Shropshire Chess League town derby with rivals Telepost A on Monday night.
Captain Best said: “It was a close match, with Oswestry buoyed by their guest IM on top board. This result does represent the end of a ‘drought’ for Shrewsbury, who struggled all last season in the online league.”
On the board, Littlewood provided a textbook display of how to combat Best’s Scandinavian Defence, sealing victory in 24 moves.
Stephen Priestley, who came into the Shrewsbury team for the unavailable Mark Smith, then got the “home” team on the board with an entertaining draw with Peter Fisher on bottom board. Playing on the white side of a Colle, Priestley amassed his forces menacingly on the kingside and sacrificed a knight in a bid to force a breakthrough before settling for perpetual check.
On board three, Lockett was able to build up pressure on his opponent’s weakened kingside, and a momentary slip from Bailey was enough for the Shrewsbury man to unleash an unstoppable attack, with mate being delivered on move 35.
The deciding game was a tense affair. After the dust settled in the early middlegame, Kitchen declined Higgie’s offer of a draw on move 24, believing his play on the queenside was worth pursuing. He was able to activate both rooks down the b-file, and the pressure forced an error from Higgie who ended up in a rook ending two pawns down. Kitchen converted this into victory on move 59. The As will next play over the board at Telepost A (as the home team) on Monday 13th December, and are also due to face Telepost A in the online league on 21st .