Thirteen anything but unlucky for Vernonator – but Pirates still walk the plank
A night to remember for Richard Vernon was not enough for Shrewsbury Pirates as they slipped to a second consecutive defeat in 4NCL Online division four.
Vernon triumphed in just 13 moves – surely his quickest ever competitive win – against Joseph Cassar on bottom board to get the Pirates off to a flying start against Watford.
But things quickly unravelled for the Pirates thereafter, as a board default and two further defeats condemned them to a 3-0.5 defeat, writes Peter Kitchen.
Olusegun Ilesanmi’s team showed one change from the opening day defeat at the hands of Malpas & Friends A, with David Walton coming into the side on top board in place of the unavailable Nick Nuthall.
Vernon checkmated his opponent on move 13 after Cassar missed the clear threat of the queen and bishop battery zoning in on the h7 square. But despite the Pirates claiming the early lead, the momentum swiftly shifted.
It quickly became apparent that board three Pedro Perez Dominguez hadn’t started his game – inquiries showed he was in Spain and had got dates mixed up. Not only did that mean a board defeat, but as per 4NCL rules the Pirates were also penalised half a point for the default.
Tony Purser then gave away his queen in an already very difficult position against Leandro Kunz on board two – and the game was up for the Pirates.
Walton put up the stiffest resistance on top board, but eventually resigned against Ewan Davids on move 42 facing unavoidable checkmate following a long battle in a difficult middlegame.
It was a disappointing result considering the two sides appeared evenly-matched on gradings – and the Pirates will look to bounce back in round three on October 6.
Full scores (Shrewsbury Pirates colours in brackets):
Watford 3-0.5 Shrewsbury Pirates
1.Ewan Davids 1-0 David Walton (b)
2.Leandro Kunz 1-0 Tony Purser (w)
3.Sujan Sami 1-def Pedro Perez Dominguez (b)
4.Joseph Cassar 0-1 Richard Vernon (w)