The Chester Chess ChronicleChester have retained the Wirral League Division One championship following a comfortable 4-1 home victory against struggling Wallasey 2.
Soon after the match began, Chester captain Steve Lloyd found a clever tactic to go the exchange up in his game against Wallasey's acting captain Mark Spriggs. Then board five Chris Fozzard, in for David Bryan, got an easy victory after it was agreed his absent opponent Ken Jones was not going to arrive.
The first game to finish was on board two when Matthew Demmon defeated Phil Brine. However, after Steven Lee defeated Graham Bromley on board three, things were looking a little nervous especially when Mark Spriggs managed to get some counterplay in his game with Steve Lloyd.
Thanks to some poor endgame play, Lloyd was forced to give up his material advantage. It now seemed Spriggs had the better chance to win, however a catastrophic blunder gave Lloyd a free rook and with it the game.
Finally board one Chris Doran wrapped up the victory with a win over Chris Latham. Latham resigned as he had fewer pawns.
This put Chester back on top with one more game to play. Pensby had the chance to return to the top in their final game with Formby but as reported on Formby's website were soundly beaten 4-1. This gives Chester the title with a game to spare.
Hayes Helps 4 Win In 3
Junior player Marvin Hayes helps Ch-
The juniors only arrived with four players so Chester were already one up before the actual match started. However, the juniors got the first win of the night when Bennett Appleyard beat Frank Howell on board four.
Chester were however soon back in front when Marvin Hayes destroyed Sam Jackson on board two. Jackson played poorly, giving away a bishop before eventually dropping a whole queen.
On board one Chester's Steve Haslam was offered a draw by J Manson despite being a pawn down. Haslam soon decided to accept this offer.
The victory was sealed by Geoff Townsend who agreed a draw with Robbie Carew after a tight game.
Chester 4 are now equal first with
CDL 4 Defeat Rhyl
In the Chester and District League second division, Chester 4 defeated Rhyl 2 in what is a very close competition, by narrow 3-2 scoreline.
It was Rhyl though who got the opening victory, with League President John Simmons gaining a shock win over Steve Lloyd on board two. Then it was soon two nil when Lewis Hunt beat Freddy Campbell on five.
However Chester were later level thanks to wins from acting captain Steve Bardell and John Vernon. The win was sealed by Volfango Rizzi after a long battle.