Still in the running – Lichfield win to keep title chances alive

Wolverhampton Division 1

Lichfield ‘A’ still have slim hopes of the Wolverhampton League title after a hard-fought victory over Stourbridge A in their final match of the Division 1 season.

Adam Chacko, having stepped in at late notice to play on Board 4, misplayed the opening with Black and lost material against the experienced Julie Wilson. With the game turning against him, Albert launched a dangerous-looking attack, but his opponent forced an exchange of queens, and converted her advantage to win in the endgame.

Maurice Staples had been the star of Lichfield’s Wolverhampton Division 1 side this season, with an incredible record of played 6, won 5, drawn 1. Playing White on Board 3, he completed the season with another victory, first limiting his opponent’s ability to develop in a Sicilian, then winning material. He mopped up the weak pawns to win straightforwardly.

Mircea Mesesan, playing Black on Board 2, engineered an advantageous endgame with his two bishops dominating his opponent’s two knights. His opponent sensibly sought to block up the position, but Mircea forced open the ‘h’ file and caught the king in a mating net.

With Lichfield now 2-1 up, the match result depended on Ben Nevett-Farman’s Board 1 encounter with Nick Fallowfield. Playing White, Ben was on the back foot from early in the game when he had to exchange his Queen for Rook and Bishop to prevent her from being trapped. Nevertheless, he was still in the fight, as his opponent struggled to free his pieces, eventually managing to do so as the game entered the endgame. When his opponent joined Ben in playing on the increment time in time trouble, a draw was agreed.

The 2.5 – 1.5 match victory leaves Lichfield in second place in the league, level on points with both Halesowen ‘A’ and West Bromwich. Should Halesowen lose their final match of the season next week, a three-way playoff will decide the league title. (Match played: 31st March)