Adam’s fine form continues

Birmingham League Division 3

It is a golden season for Adam Routledge. Twelve wins and only one loss in his last 17 games have swept him to the top of the club’s Ladder League and close to a 1900 rating. “I now believe I can go on to reach 2000, particularly if I try to get some coaching which I have never had” he said.

Adam’s latest win against Mike Biddle in Lichfield’s 3.5 – 2.5 win over Oscott came after Mike fell 40 minutes behind on the clock, and then blundered in the inevitable time trouble. Lichfield’s recruit from Rushall, John Staniforth continued his fine form, winning a hard fought game in which he captured a Bishop late on. It proved decisive.

“Not much happened” was Tony Green’s verdict on his draw on top board but it was certainly exciting for teammate Peter Rose who was making his B3 debut. Peter played well and took a pawn and the very next move surprised himself by checkmating his opponents in a rather comical and satisfying ending.

Yuriy Slobodyuk sacrificed a Bishop for three pawns and then found that a connected pawn rush was unstoppable,Mike Hoare got in positional trouble and couldn’t find a way out of a tricky mating position,

The win took Lichfield to the top of Division 3. (Match played 20th November)