John's return sparks Burton & Lichfield to impressive match win over Derby 'C'

Derbyshire Chess Association League Division 2

The return to league chess of John Moughtin-Leay after 2.5 years away at university was the catalyst for a fine 2.5 - 1.5 match victory for Burton & Lichfield 'C' at The Guildhall, as they defeated a Derby side who out-graded them by nearly 100 points per board.

John, playing White on Board 4 was the first to finish, winning while playing at the typical fast tempo that members will remember makes him so dangerous at blitz and rapid chess.

Francis Fields, playing Black on Board 1, faced the daunting task of taking on the strong and experienced David Williams, but held his own in an excellent performance. Despite being a pawn down, Francis navigated the game into a drawn ending.

Gary Monks, playing White on Board 2, struggled to contain his opponent's dangerous advanced pawn at the end of a tense game, and missed a simple mate to lose. That favour was retuned, however, by Richard Ayres' opponent on Board 3. After a complex game in which onlookers thought Richard held the edge with Black, his opponent blundered his Queen.

Non-playing captain John Fryer was rightly delighted by the match win. It was a very promising start to the season in a division that includes a number of strong sides. Next up for Burton & Lichfield is one of those sides, Rolls Royce 'B'.