For the second time this season Newark first team lost to neighbours Grantham 3-2 in Division One of the Nottinghamshire Chess League. Considering that the Newark team were heavily out-rated on all five boards, this was a good performance despite the result.
Ben Poulteney has played fourteen games for all three teams this season without losing, but unfortunately his undefeated run came to an end when Ben’s board four opponent got the better of his French defence.
Martyn Winn, with an inferior position on board three, sacrificed a knight to get a perpetual check securing a draw on board three.
On board five, Jim Wellington was able to recover a pawn to gain equality and a half point in a game involving the Saemisch variation of Kings Indian defence.
Alex Combie, on the top board with the white pieces, played against former Newark player Paul Cumbers. Paul’s Sicilian defence eventually gained the upper hand to secure another win for Grantham.
The last game to finish saw Graham Ladds get Newark’s only win of the night. A neat combination by Graham won a piece by move 20, but then very resourceful play from his opponent resulted in the game lasting over 80 moves.
Newark’s first team now have just two games remaining to avoid relegation. At the end of March there is a critical match with fellow relegation strugglers Gambit 2, who are two points behind Newark. Avoiding defeat will almost certainly ensure their Division 1 status is preserved for another season.