Division 5 team off to a perfect start after making it two wins from two

Birmingham & District Division 5

Following a home victory at The Guildhall over Walsall Kipping, Lichfield’s first away fixture in Division 5 gave them a second match win of the season, and a dream start in their battle for honours and promotion. Following the long journey to Stourbridge, they cruised to a comfortable 3-1 win, aided by a home team default on Board 4.

Board 1 saw Albert Chacko gambiting a pawn with the Black pieces for accelerated development. Choosing practical solutions rather than objectively better ones, he turned the board into a minefield for his opponent. That was all it required, as his opponent's position collapsed and he promptly resigned on move 13.

Board 3 was next, with Connor Whetnall playing a calm and steady game, also with Black. His opponent brought his Queen out very early, which only worked to Connor's favour. Connor exploited a pin on the queen to initiate an exchange and enter a pawn-up endgame. From here, he slowly ground his opponent down and then increased his material advantage to another pawn, then a rook, before playing an exchange to reach a King+Bishop+Knight+Pawns endgame against King+Pawns. His opponent had no choice but to resign, confirming the match victory for Lichfield.

Board 2 was the last to conclude. Phil Sykes, playing White, got off to a good start with a marginal positional lead, but his opponent - though young - made solid, intentional moves to take the game into an rook and knight endgame. Phil was caught in a time scramble and missed further chances before eventually losing on time.

Lichfield will hope to maintain their momentum. After a month-long break, they will face a series of weekly matches through late October and all of November. (Match played: 22nd September)