He just can't stop winning ... Connor victory enough for drawn match

Cannock & District League Division 3

Lichfield's 'A' side in Cannock Division 3 drew their match against early season title competitors Walsall Kipping 2-2 at The King's Head.

Ladder leader Connor Whetnall finished first after a lengthy battle on Board 3. In an opposite-side castling middlegame, Connor thrust his pawn storm very early, hoping to seize an edge. However, he neglected his opponent's piece play, which stormed the kingside. Connor seemed to hold the onslaught, but the pressure was intense. Connor managed to equalise and even forced an exchange to simplify. His opponent dictated the queen trade and emerged a pawn up in a 2 Knight + Rook + Pawns endgame. Connor and his opponent fought, and both queened, but Connor retained his knights. From here, Connor went on to deliver checkmate.

Next to finish was Gary Monks on Board 1. Very early on, he touched the f pawn by mistake and had to play it. From here, Gary suffered from every issue a position could have. Lack of central control, lack of king safety, back rank weakness, the whole nine yards. It was inevitable that his opponent, with all the advantages in abundance, forced his way in to win.

Next was Rob Frost on Board 4. He created dynamism where he was castled safely but lacked development. His ability to attack his opponent’s uncastled King proved the decisive factor. Despite both sides' best efforts, neither could gain an overwhelming advantage as the game fizzled into a Knight+Bishop+Pawns endgame for each side. Rob, at the cost of creating a passed pawn, got his knight stuck in the corner and played on effectively a piece down. The passed pawns helped him keep some edge and play for a draw.

On Board 2, John Fryer and his opponent raced through the game; within minutes, they had a rich middlegame where John controlled the centre, but his opponent had opportunities to undermine it. But both sides accepted that the position would close and tried to play on their respective sides. The game eventually drifted into an opposite-colour bishop endgame, and the two players agreed to a draw.

The 2-2 draw was enough to keep Lichfield A at the top of the table. They now have a month gap before their next fixture, an away match against local rivals Rugeley (Match played: 12th October)