Team effort helps C team to an unbeaten week
Team effort helps C team to an unbeaten week
Shrewsbury C emerged from last week’s gruelling fixtures without tasting defeat as the side continues to edge its way up the Shropshire Chess League division three table.
Ben Howells’ side drew 2-2 away to the division’s bottom side Newport Junior C on Tuesday night before achieving the same score 24 hours later in a local derby at home to Darwinian Knights D, writes Peter Kitchen.
The results – in their final two league fixtures before the Christmas break – have helped the Cs move up to fifth place in the eight-team division, although some of the teams below them do have several games in hand.
But perhaps most impressively was the way the whole squad played its part in a busy week, with seven players turning out over the two games – and it would have been a completely changed side for the Darwinian fixture had it not been for a late withdrawal.
It is without doubt testament to the spirit and enthusiasm of the players in the C team squad, many of whom are this season getting their first taste of competitive chess.
And it was a special week for Nick Nuthall – not only was he the only player to play in both fixtures, but he also won both of his games, ending his long wait for a competitive victory in the process.
Against Newport Junior C, Shrewsbury C were able to give a debut to Pedro Perez Dominguez – who has been a popular addition to club nights in recent weeks – on board four. He replaced Richard Beard in the only personnel change from the victory over Newport Knights last time out, although there was a switch in the board order with Orlando Bell switching with Nick Nuthall to move to top board.
Up against a side without a league point at the start of play, the Cs would have hoped to build on the Newport Knights win. But in a match played at breathtaking pace, all of the boards were over shortly after 8.30pm and the points were shared.
It was the top two boards who picked up victories, with captain Ben Howells and Dominguez both suffering defeats.
The following night, Richard Beard, Kate Beard and Tom Osenton all came into the side in place of Bell, Howells and Dominguez for the visit of local rivals Darwinian Knights D to Cromwell’s.
Both sides were playing their second match in the space of 24 hours, but nevertheless this was a competitive and hard-fought match that could have gone either way.
It was Darwinian who drew first blood on top board.
Intriguingly, Richard Beard had been moved up to the top of the order from board four – above his wife no less! But he ran into an experienced opponent in the shape of Steve Wilson, and fell to a defeat.
Kate Beard restored some family pride and drew the hosts level by defeating Zac Herd on bottom board, and the scoreline was turned around when Nuthall claimed his second win of the week, beating Martin Ayres on board two.
But Darwinian captain Paula Sharp came to her side’s rescue, winning a tight game against Osenton on board three to ensure the spoils were shared.
Full scores (Shrewsbury colours in brackets):
Newport Junior C 2-2 Shrewsbury C
1.Edward Nadine 0-1 Orlando Bell (w)
2.Sibtain Qureshi 0-1 Nick Nuthall (b)
3.Eli Kynaston 1-0 Dafydd Howells (w)
4.Pranav Attada 1-0 Pedro Perez Dominguez
Shrewsbury C 2-2 Darwinian Knights D
1.Richard Beard (b) 0-1 Steve Wilson
2.Nick Nuthall (w) 1-0 Martin Ayres
3.Tom Osenton (b) 0-1 Paula Sharp
4.Kate Beard (w) 1-0 Zac Herd