2015 has started with a flurry for Stourbridge chess club with four matches over three days.

The Birmingham division 5 team hosted Solihull on Monday. We were weakened by the absence of 2 key players but the opposition were not too strong so we should still have had a good chance of winning as we were stronger on the higher boards.

The match did not go quite according to plan. First to finish were the 2 top boards who both drew while team captain Steve Alcock was material down on board 4.

Board 5 Chris Williamson won a pawn in the opening and converted this to a win. This was followed by a win for Colin Woodall on board 3.

Steve Alcock still material down went for an all out attack and managed to salvage a draw with a perpetual check. Martin Berridge went 3 pawns up in a rook ending and his opponent resigned. So the result was 4.5-1.5 to Stourbridge.

On the same night our defending champions and title challenging Wolverhampton Division 1 team hosted newly promoted and anticipating relegation Boldmere.

We had 3 reserves playing, but fortunately, Boldmere were also not at their strongest: We outgraded the opposition on all 6 boards, so had every reason to hope for a good outcome.

All 6 games seemed very tight for a long time.

Acting captain Paul Sharratt on board 6 was first to finish when his opponent misjudged the position and allowed Paul to play a pin winning a bishop.

His opponent then resigned.

This was followed by Eric horwill, Greg Dyett and John Foxall agreeing draws, so we were 2.5-1.5 ahead.

Nick Arkell was next to finish, winning on time and securing the match victory. Jeremy Fallowfield completed a very satisfactory evening for Stourbridge with a win which left us 4.5-1.5 ahead.

On Tuesday our second team visited Halesowen in Birmingham division 3. Both teams were at full strength, so this promised to be a good contest.

Stourbridge captain Paul Sharratt thought he was first to finish when he agreed a draw with Don Curry after 18 moves in an inferior position but then he learnt that Eric Horwill had succumbed to an aggressive attack and resigned.

Very unusual for Eric, but we were 1 down.

John Foxall agreed a draw with Ambrose, so 2-1 to Halesowen.

On the other boards, Steve Jukes was battling against strong doubled rooks and 2 good bishops, Julie Wilson was a pawn up but not overly happy about her position, and Dave Scriven was trying hard to convert a positional edge.

In due course Steve succumbed, and Julie and Dave had to settle for draws. 4-2 to Halesowen.Wednesday we were at home in Wolverhampton Division 3 against a Walsall Kipping team who are likely to be contesting top spot with St George’s with both of them looking odds-on for promotion.

If you are interested in playing for Stourbridge or would just like to improve your game, phone Dave Scriven on 01384 423642 or visit www.stourbridgechess.f9.co.uk for more information about the club.