Tie break drama sends Burton & Lichfield into semi-finals
Derby League Cup and Plate
After Rounds 1 and 2 of the Derby League Cup and Plate rapid-play competitions, all three combined Burton and Lichfield sides were in contention. The top four teams in each competition would qualify for the semi-finals in February, so there was everything to play for as the teams made the journey to Rolls Royce in Derby for Rounds 3 and 4.
In the Cup competition, largely made up of Division 1 sides, Burton and Lichfield ‘A’ were tied for second place on 4.5/8 after Rounds 1 and 2. In Round 3, they fell out of the top four places, scoring only 1.5/4, with Vinod Fernando securing a strong victory on Board 2, and Ryan Smith a draw on Board 3. A better performance in Round 4 boosted their score; Richard Anderson was victorious on Board 1, and Ryan Smith drew again, before Anuskha Ramawickrama converted a material advantage for a crucial victory on Board 4. This left the team on a very creditable 8.5/16 overall, and in a tie for third with both Chesterfield ‘A’ and Rolls Royce ‘A’. With only four teams qualifying, one team had to be eliminated through the tie-break rules, and it was Rolls Royce who lost out, sending Burton and Lichfield into the cup semi finals for the first time in many years.
In the Plate competition, Burton and Lichfield ‘C’ were unexpectedly leading after Rounds 1 and 2 on 5.5/8, but fell away in Rounds 3 and 4. The team of Piotrek Natoniewski, Mark Grubb, Terry Knight and Dmitrijs Aleksandrovs scored 1/4 in both rounds to finish tied for sixth, but still on a laudable 7.5/16.
The Burton and Lichfield ‘B’ team of Mike Hoare, Brian Homewood, Connor Whetnall and Jack Newton fared better in the Plate Rounds 3 and 4, scoring 1/4 in Round 3, and 3/4 in Round 4 to also leave them tied sixth on 7.5/16 overall. Connor and Jack are both new to over-the-board competitive league chess – Jack was making his debut – and both contributed points in strong performances for the team.
The evening was a very pleasant celebration of competitive chess; it’s always fantastic to feel the ‘buzz’ of a large room full of local players giving it their all to secure victory for their teams. (Event played: 20th November)