Mixed night for Lichfield in the Humphreys Jamboree as Stafford are victorious

The Lichfield team had a mixed night in the Wolverhampton & District League Humphreys Jamboree at Mercia Chess Club, finishing with 1.5 / 4. The format of the U1675 event is that each team player plays a single classical time control game against a respective opposing board from a different competing club.

Peter Rose, playing as Lichfield Board 2, was Lichfield's only winner on the night, and made short order of his opponent, punishing several opening mistakes to win in only 15 moves.

Brian Homewood, on Board 3, finished next with a draw. Both players played unambitiously and a peaceful result was the inevitable outcome.

Mick Horrigan, on Board 1, was bested by an improving Jimmy Allen of Stafford, as many Lichfield members have experienced recently; Peter Rose calculates he's 5.5/6 against Lichfield players. Mick tried some salvage tactics to escape defeat at the end of the game, but Jimmy managed to secure the win.

Connor Whetnall, on Board 4, was last to finish. He played a little passively. and his opponent took advantage. Connor battled on despite being down in material, but was unable to generate significant threats and was forced to resign.

The Stafford team were the overall winners, finishing on 3.5/4. Congratulation to them. Full results for the Jamboree are online on the WDCL website, and a selection of photos from the event are also available.

From the WDCL website:

Stafford won the first 2026/27 major trophy and also their first Humphreys Trophy. The Jamboree attracted seven teams of four players at Mercia in the traditional WDCL season starter. Mercia fielded three teams and were joined by Warley Quinborne, Lichfield, Rushall and Stafford. With only Ken McNulty drawing on top, they won their other three games to take the title with ease. Two Mercian teams captured the runners-up spot.

(Event played: 8th September)