Shrewsbury B took another step towards clinching the Shropshire Online League division two title – without a move being made.
The B’s were awarded a 3-0 default win over Newport Juniors – one of their closest rivals who were unable to raise a team on the night of the match.
It means Mark Smith’s side remains seven points clear with four games left to play – and the clash with nearest challengers Telford in late June is already looking like a pivotal one. Telford have three games in hand and victory in all their remaining seven matches would see them overhaul the B’s.
But it wasn’t such a great week for Shrewsbury C, who are now propping up the division after losing the basement battle against Newport A 3-0.
Norman O’Connor unusually found himself on the white side of one of his favourite black openings – the King’s Indian Defence – on top board against Shane Greenwood. He enjoyed the better position in the early middlegame, only for an ill-advised exchange of his strong bishop for Greenwood’s knight to allow his opponent to equalise.
The subsequent rook ending should have been drawn – but an error by O’Connor cost him his rook and the game.
Tony Purser went wrong in the early middlegame on the black side of an offbeat Philidor’s Defence against Andy Jones on board two – and, to his credit, Jones did not let his opponent off the hook, putting Purser away in impressive style. First, he exploited Purser’s exposed king to win an exchange and then forced a completely won ending, checkmating his opponent on move 59.
Richard Vernon’s luckless run continued on bottom board as he lost to Malcolm Price. Vernon had opportunities straight out of the opening to punish his opponent’s careless play, but missed them and then suddenly found himself on the back foot as the game turned. Despite battling gamely, he was checkmated on move 51.
Full scores:
Newport Juniors 0-3 Shrewsbury B (match defaulted)
Newport A 3-0 Shrewsbury C (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)
1.Shane Greenwood 1-0 Norman O’Connor (w)
2.Andy Jones 1-0 Tony Purser (b)
3.Malcolm Price 1-0 Richard Vernon (w)
*Shrewsbury’s over-the-board team will be in action on Tuesday in the latest round of Shropshire Rapidplay Chess League at Newport. They face games against Newport, league leaders Maddocks A and Telford.
The next club night at Nerdy Café will also be held this coming Friday (May 20) from 7.30pm. Current members and new faces are welcome as always.