Belper are too strong for ‘A’ Team

Derby League Division 1

Belper ‘A’ are the strongest Derby League Division 1 side by grading, and their strength ultimately told as they beat the combined Burton and Lichfield ‘A’ Team 3 – 1 to join Derby ‘A’ at the top of the league table.

The standout Burton and Lichfield performance of the evening came on Board 3, where Vinod Fernando convincingly defeated the highly experienced Simon Gilmore, stranding his opponent’s King in the centre of the board, and then winning the queen as Simon struggled to free himself.

Sadly, however, the other three games all ended in defeat. On Board 1, Mircea Mesesan faced the formidable 2180-graded John Potter, who built a clear advantage in the opening, and didn’t let up in converting for a full point. The Queen’s Indian opening in the Board 2 encounter between Lichfield’s Ben Nevett-Farman and Jamie Tilston led to quick piece exchanges and a slight advantage in a Rook and Knight ending for Ben’s opponent. A draw looked possible, even likely, but Jamie kept up the pressure, and Ben slightly misplayed the ending, allowing his opponent to win a pawn and establish a won position. Jamie has been an excellent addition to the Belper side; since arriving with the club in January, he has not lost a single classical over-the-board game. His grade is climbing quickly towards 2100.

With Ben heading towards defeat, attention turned to David Pickering’s game on Board 4. Despite a grading disadvantage, David’s knowledge of key opening ideas lead to a middle-game advantage, with David the exchange up. Both players were under time pressure however, and it was David who faltered first in a complex, very open position in which both kings were in danger. David’s game was lost, and when Ben then resigned, a 3-1 win for Belper was confirmed. (Match played: 26th November)