Junior debutant with sole win as B&L 'E' narrowly miss out on match draw

Derbyshire Chess Association Division 4

In their first game of the season Burton & Lichfield 'E' faced Wirksworth Feathers, a tough proposition given they appear to have been reinforced by Belper player Roger Moors, giving them an average player rating of 1441 in stark contrast to B&L E’s 1189. 

B&L 'E' however have acquired a new player who can also now be classed as a serious reinforcement - junior player Piotrek Maciej who, playing his first league game with the White pieces,  comprehensively crushed his opponent Rick Graham on board 4 in the nonchalant style typical of young chess players.  Piotrek created an undeniably dominant position immediately, preventing his opponent from castling and by winning his Queen forced his resignation on move 16, leaving his bewildered opponent with only the consolation of playing at a venue that supplies fine ales brewed on site. 

The remaining players by this time were all still in a state of deep opening deliberation. 

Ivan Wright was the next to finish. Playing as Black on Board 3, outrated by his opponent David Hall by a full 400 points, he reached the endgame a Pawn up but found himself troubled by his opponents passed Pawn on the 6th rank that eventually supported a Knight and Rook checkmate. 

Sam Rolfe in his first game for a year played with the White pieces on board 2. Struggling with an unfamiliar opening, he blundered away a Knight but valiantly fought on and infiltrated his opponent’s position with his Queen. Under pressure, his opponent Roger Moors inexplicably left his Knight to be taken by White’s Queen, enabling Sam to harass his King and gain a two Pawn advantage. Queens were exchanged but White’s passed Pawn was blocked by a Bishop, leading to White’s only route to victory being his slight Kingside majority. Sam couldn’t find a way to make this count and after losing his Pawn advantage they both agreed on a draw. 

On board 1 Graeme Drayton played Ian Cowin and was also significantly outrated, and after a cagey opening found himself at critical crossroads in an almost equal middle game and took the wrong turn, succumbing to the inevitable progression of well defended passed Pawns. 

Considering the strong opposition who clearly have eyes on fighting for promotion this season, Burton & Lichfield 'E' came out fighting and with Piotrek Maciej in the team should look forward to many more enjoyable and competitive encounters. (Match played: September 28th 2026)