Salopians & Friends 1 – 2-1 – Ashfield Anonymous A
Ashfield “A” won all seven of their matches in Division Two last year; this year they are well on course for exactly the opposite -seven losses. This match should have been drawn as Alex beat GM Keith Arkell on Board One – in Keith’s own words he “went to pieces” after receiving some disturbing news mid-game. However the game had started with an incorrect time setting and it was declared void; so our chance of actually securing a draw disappeared. As for the remaining games, two were halved after the position repeated for a third time and we lost the other decisive game.
Guildford 1 – 3-1 – Ashfield Anonymous B
Another team facing relegation is Ashfield “B”. The top boards were both dropped, Board One in the ending and Board Two when a piece sacrifice to open up the king misfired as the monarch scuttled away leaving the attacking queen trapped. There was little hope in redressing the balance on Boards 3 & 4 which were both halved; John Amison making his 4NCL on-line debut.
Wessex C – 1½ – 2½ – Ashfield Anonymous C
In a very odd turnaround whilst other teams are relegated, Ashfield “C” could find themselves promoted to Division One. Board Four was again a half through repetition, the situation on Board 2 & 3 were very similar. Just as the West Country players thought they had a breakthrough to force a win, exactly the opposite happened with both games finishing in checkmates for Ashfield. Unfortunately an endgame error meant Wessex won on Board One.