Lichfield win promotion to Birmingham second tier

Birmingham League Division 3

An Olton default on Board 6 helped Lichfield to a 4-2 win and to ensure promotion from Division 3. Now the aim is to maintain the team’s unbeaten record and win the league title.

Yuriy Slobodyuk was the first to finish, agreeing a draw in a Queen and Rook endgame. Tony Green drew a tight game on board one. Both players had opposite coloured Bishops plus a few major pieces and Tony, noting the match situation in Lichfield’s favour, accepted a draw.

John Staniforth then won the exchange and went on to clinch a win and Adam Routledge followed suit winning two pawns and leaving his opponent unable to move his major pieces for some time. The win takes Adam through the 1900 barrier for the first time. Finally Mike Hoare found himself in a drawish game but eventually found a way to win.(Match played 19th February.