Double boost for Lichfield’s first team

Birmingham League Division 1

Lichfield’s first team not only moved into fourth place in Division 1 by defeating Central B but they now have the added boost that their top player, Turan Asgarova, is keen to get back to playing chess following the birth of her son.

It was a close match and a narrow 3.5 – 2.5 victory. Early draws were agreed by John Keaveney on board two, David Hulme on board 4 and by Maurice Staples on board 3 whose opponent played so quickly that at the end in a tricky Rook and pawn situation, he still had an hour left on his clock while Maurice was down to only a few minutes.

Ben Nevett-FRarman was under pressure against the Dutch defence and lost when threatened by mate or loss of a piece, That left the two bottom boards where Tony Green and David Pickering had been brought into the team. Both achieved an early advantage and were able to convert into winning positions.

Astonishingly, all three league matches in the Guildroom were completed by 9-45 and the first team are now in fourth place with a game in hand, yet only four points aboive the relegation contenders.(Match played 22nd January)