New chess grades are out, and for Malpas & Oswestry it has been a case of swings and roundabouts.

Former top player Charles Lowick Higgie goes down from 180 to 173. Brian Whyte emerges as the top player, moving up from 178 to 184. Richard Bryant is down slightly, 176 to 174, making him the number two and Charles Higgie number three. Dave Bennion rises 161 to 166. On board 5 Peter Lovatt slips a little, 158 to 151.

In the second team, the squad for the new season will be: 1. Dominic Bareford (now rated 144, up from 135); 2, Graham Ives (130, down 4); 3, Colin Mace (122, down 2); 4, John Davies (119, down 22); 5, Dimitar Kirachen (108, unchanged).

The team for the Under 100 side will be unchanged from last year. Euan Stevenson is unchanged on 92 and now has the same grade as Jonathan Smith who has moved up four points. On three Stuart Hamilton goes down slightly, from 79 to 75. On four Andrew "Willy" Williams, shoots up from 38 to 47.