A Triumphant Journey Along the Road to Oz

Shrewsbury A made a flying start to their Shropshire Chess League campaign division one campaign with an impressive 3.5-1.5 win away to Oswestry A.

Debutant Nathanael Paul won on top board, and he was backed up by captain Francis Best and Dan Lockett, who both triumphed with the black pieces, writes Peter Kitchen.

The result was particularly sweet for Shrewsbury as the club’s first team gained revenge for a 5-0 whitewash defeat in the corresponding fixture last season. Shrewsbury A had in fact lost on their last four league visits to the border town club.

It marks a great start to the new league season as Best’s side aims to avoid finishing bottom of the top flight table for a third consecutive league season.

Shrewsbury were without last season’s regular top board Peter Kitchen, who was away on holiday in Florida, for the trip north west up the A5. But he was replaced by Paul, who was making his first league appearance for the club since his switch from town rivals Telepost last season.

The hosts were themselves without big-hitters Brian Whyte, Tim McMahon and captain Charles Lowick Higgie, but still fielded a strong team.

Paul defeated Rudy van Kemenade in a double-edged game on top board, while Lockett came out on top against Peter Fisher on board four to double the lead.

Best defeated former Telepost captain Richard Bryant on board two, while Mark Smith shared the spoils with Adrian Bailey in an entertaining game on board three and Richard Vernon went down to Gary Slegg despite a valiant fight on bottom board.

Captain Best described the result as a “significant improvement” on last season

The result will give the A side renewed confidence ahead of a mouthwatering derby double header with Telepost. The “El Chessico” derby with Telepost A will be on November 11, followed by the visit of Telepost B on November 25, with both fixtures taking place at Shrewsbury’s Nerdy Café home.

Full scores:

Oswestry A 1.5-3.5 Shrewsbury A (Shrewsbury colours in brackets)

1.Rudy van Kemenade 0-1 Nathanael Paul (w)

2.Richard Bryant 0-1 Francis Best (b)

3.Adrian Bailey 0.5-0.5 Mark Smith (w)

4.Peter Fisher 0-1 Dan Lockett (b)

5.Gary Slegg 1-0 Richard Vernon (w)