STOKE LEAGUE SUCCESS

With a disappointing loss in the Open cup and a draw from their only league fixture to date, the Stoke League team travelled to Newcastle eager to kickstart their season. Once Phil Colville had managed to find the drinks counter and both he and the secretary had managed to assuage their thirst, the match got underway. Before too long, Phil reaped the benefit as his opponent announced his resignation. Second to finish, the captain admitted to his opponent that he had been let off the hook – but 2-0 looked good and encouraged the secretary to offer a draw having seen that Ant on board 4 was very well placed. Martyn refused, clearly playing for his team, but shortly after Ant secured the point and the match. Having engaged the services of the captain to record the moves in his final 5 minutes, the secretary capitalised on a good bishop v bad bishop ending, 4-0. On top board the club champion was conceding many grading points to Alex, top rated Newcastle player, but reached a rook and pawn ending which theory shows is drawn with best play. After lots of accurate moves, the champion made his solitary mistake and Alex capitalised. 4-1 is an excellent result from this away fixture, but much annoyed with himself, the champion looked as if he just wanted to be miles away from a chessboard...