Match reports

Promoted B and L end fine season with a whimper

Richard Anderson

— 1 min read

Derby League Division 2

It was a disappointing end to a stellar season as Burton and Lichfield ‘B’ travelled to Derby to face Derby ‘C’. Having already secured promotion to Division 1, Burton and Lichfield’s team of John Hoddy, Ryan Smith, David Pickering and Joe Parker had hopes of finishing the season on a high, but it was not to be against some strong opposition.

David Pickering’s game on Board 3 was first to finish. He held the initiative in the late opening, with his two rooks well placed on the open ‘e’ file, but when pieces were exchanged, David missed a move to maintain his edge, and his advantage slipped away. A draw was agreed.

Joe Parker, playing Black on Board 4, was a piece up after a blunder from his opponent in the opening, but returned the favour and found himself in a lost Rook and Pawn endgame.

John Hoddy, playing White on Board 1, has been one of the standout performers of the season, but ended the season with a loss. He held the advantage early in the game, but when that was neutralised, found himself in an equal Q and 2R ending. The queens and a pair of rooks were exchanged, but John then mistakenly allowed his opponent’s king to invade his position, forcing resignation.

Last to finish was Ryan Smith’s topsy turvy game on Board 3. His position was worse early in the game against David Williams’ London System, but Ryan fought back to generate counterplay against his opponent’s king before sacc-ing a knight for a devastating attack. Time trouble, however, was a major problem, and Ryan missed the winning idea in the attack and then, with the game now level again on the board, paused for a second too long, and lost on time.

A 3.5 – 0.5 defeat means that Burton and Lichfield are still top of the table, but will now only win the Division 2 title if Rolls Royce ‘C’ are unable to take at least three points from their remaining two matches. If Rolls Royce have a win and a draw in their remaining matches, it will come down to points difference. (Match played: 31st March).