Teams in Good Shape at Christmas Break

Shrewsbury Chess Club’s players can look back on a satisfactory first half of the season – with one team top of its division and all performing competitively.

The club’s A team lies top of Shropshire Rapidplay League division one at Christmas – albeit having played three games more than its nearest pursuers – and is performing strongly in both the over-the-board and online leagues, writes Peter Kitchen.

Both the B and C teams are finding the going tough in the online league, with the B team still adjusting to life in the top flight after last season’s title-winning promotion.

Perhaps more significantly, the club has welcomed new players and seen some old faces make a welcome return to the fold during the current season.

Here’s your mid-season report with a breakdown for each team:

Shrewsbury A (Shropshire Chess League division one)

At the start of December, the A team was unbeaten in the league and not too far off the top flight’s pacesetters.

While that record was ended when a slightly under-strength side went down 3.5-1.5 in a tight match at Newport A, the transformation from last season is there for all to see.

Last season the A’s finished bottom of the division with just one win and one draw from eight matches. Within three matches this season Francis Best’s side had surpassed that tally, spearheaded by the impressive 3.5-1.5 opening day win away at Oswestry A and a fine draw in the big county town derby with a Telepost A side that outgraded Shrewsbury on every board.

Undoubtedly the addition of Nathanael Paul on top board has made a huge difference. Not only has Nat contributed some decent results – he currently has a 50 per cent record – but his presence has enabled other players to move down a board which has made the whole team far more competitive.

While it could be argued that the team could be doing even better – the draw at home to Telepost B felt like one that got away – the team currently lies in fourth place in the seven-team division with one win, two draws and one defeat, which represents a fine start to the campaign.

Players are also pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, with some adopting a more attacking style and others taking more risks in pursuit of the win rather than settling for draws. It is a sign of growing confidence that hopefully will serve the players and the club as a while well.

Encouragingly, nine players have been used so far in this campaign – including a welcome return for club stalwart Ian Davies, an over-the-board reappearance for Ivor Salter and first competitive club appearances for both Paul and new signing Robert Green.

Considering that last season it was a struggle to field five over-the-board players, it is clear that the club’s health is definitely improving.

Shrewsbury A (Shropshire Rapidplay League division one)

The club has fielded just one team in this year’s rapidplay league – and things are going better than expected as Shrewsbury A are top of the division one table at Christmas!

While that won’t last – Shrewsbury have played three games more than the three teams immediately below them and must sit out the next two rapidplay league nights – it still marks a positive start compared to last season, when the A team finished fifth our of six teams.

So far the team has a 50 per cent record. One win and two defeats from the opening night at Telford was followed up by two wins out of three at Telepost just six days before Christmas.

As always, availability will be the key. With a full strength side the A team is capable of giving any team in the division a game over the 20 minutes for all moves format.

The team was outgunned in its final match against Telepost A, and at times the top teams may have a little too much in the locker.

But the aim will continue to be to improve on last season’s league finish and give more players the chance to play competitively at a quicker format than regular league chess.

Shrewsbury A (Shropshire Online Chess League division one)

The club has enjoyed a lot of success in cyberspace since the online leagues were formed during the pandemic – and indeed fought hard to ensure they would remain in place for the current season.

But results have been more mixed for all three teams this campaign, with usually dependable players perhaps struggling for consistency (certainly for the A team).

The A team was extremely fortunate to avoid an upset against Shrewsbury B, clinging on for a draw when Peter Kitchen saved an ending that looked lost against Ivor Salter.

They followed that up with a steady 2.5-1.5 win over an experimental Telepost A side featuring a number of inexperienced players. But then came a disappointment with a 3-1 defeat against Oswestry B.

While Shrewsbury A currently lie second in the table with a 50 per cent record, repeating last year’s runners up finish will be a challenge. Defending champions Oswestry A have only played once so far and no doubt will be a tough proposition, while the As will hope to fare better when they take on the club’s B team early in the new year.

Shrewsbury B (Shropshire Online Chess League division one)

After the euphoria of winning the division two title in fine style last season, Shrewsbury B carried that momentum into the new campaign by almost pulling off a famous win over the club’s A team in their opening fixture.

But since that draw, the team has been brought back down to earth with a bump. A narrow defeat to Telepost A and a 3-1 loss to Oswestry B has left Mark Smith’s side bottom of the pile at Christmas.

However, the B team has been very competitive in every match so far and if that continues there is every hope they can pick up results in the new year. A derby with Shrewsbury A on January 9 will be their first opportunity – and they remain a very tough opponent for any side in the division.

Shrewsbury C (Shropshire Online Chess League division two)

It was a tough start to life under new captain Richard Vernon for the C team. A heavy opening defeat against title favourites Telford A was followed up by an agonising 2-1 loss to Oswestry C.

But the team picked up its first victory with a 2-1 triumph over Newport A to move off the bottom of the table, and with six matches still to play there remains hope that the side can continue to be competitive.

While Telford A – their next opponents on January 23 – look a cut above the rest at this level, as all matches are played over three boards there is always the opportunity for an upset. Vernon’s side will be a challenge for the other sides in the division too.