Battling Lichfield earn impressive match draw despite grading disadvantages

Birmingham & District Division 2

Seriously out-graded, although less than expected due to the late withdrawal of an opposition player, the Birmingham Division 2 team took their bow in this season's league fixtures, taking on Wolverhampton away at the Forty Four Club.

John Staniforth, playing White on Board 2, was the first to finish, surviving a sacrificial attack from his opponent before clinching the point. On Board 3, David Hulme, playing Black, had an even position for most of his game, but lost his way later in the game and lost, evening the scores at 1-1.

Mike Hoare on Board 6 for Lichfield then secured a good win over a significantly higher-rated opponent, but Francis Field, on Board 4 never got over the shock of being faced with g5 as an immediate response to e4 (!) eventually losing his game. The opening is apparently known as either the 'Borg Defence' ('Grob' backwards) or the Basman Defence after the legendary English purveyor of wacky openings in the 70s and 80s, IM Michael Basman.

Tony Green, playing Black on the top board, was having the better of his game, but was also short of time, so when a draw was offered, he reluctantly decided to accept, taking the match to 2.5-2.5 and a tense conclusion.

That left Gary Monks on Board 5, who had spent much of his game battling a pawn down. The game had come down to a knight and pawn ending. Gradually reducing the number of pawns, Gary was finally able to sacrifice his knight for the last White pawn, drawing the game and tying the match 3-3, for an excellent result against strong opposition. (Match played: 21 September 2026)