Malpas and Oswestry Chess Club

It was a sad day for Malpas and Owestry 2nds at the end of February as they finally lost their unbeaten record in the Chester and District Chess League, away to Chester 6ths.

Chester were stronger than expected thanks to Joe Nemcek (138) coming in on board two. He played the white side of an 'Advanced French' perfectly and won in just 16 moves against John Davies (139). Joe's return to the side made Chester stronger on boards three and four. Fortunately, Orlando (62) was able to hold the draw with Dave Littlemore (105) on board four, a great result considering the difference in grades. Dominic Bareford (135), the Malpas and Oswestry captain, had a long game with the Chester captain Ray Williams (140) on board one, and eventually lost when Williams broke through on the king side and Graham Ives (134) battled hard on three, but eventually went down to his brother Steve Williams (115) in an opposite coloured bishops middlegame.

The final score was Chester 3.5 to Malpas and Oswestry 0.5.

Malpas and Oswestry 2nds now need a draw or a win in their final match at home to Rhyl and Prestatyn 2nds to win Division Three.

Most other chess matches were cancelled thanks to the weather as Wrexham 1sts called off their match with Malpas and Oswestry 1sts on Tuesday and then Oswestry postponed a B team match on Wednesday and a A team match on Thursday.