There were 4 matches in Division 1 last week. Not one of them was close and, as might be expected, they all went the way of the higher ranked teams. Morriston A at home on Monday to BF Brunel had a comfortable 4½-½ victory with only an excellent draw from David Merryweather (1509) playing Peter Bevan (2026) stopping the whitewash. On the same night Morriston C considered themselves lucky to go down only 1-4 to a marginally under strength White Knights A. A result that incidentally gives Morriston A an advantage of 2 game points over White Knights, something that could be crucial by the end of the season.

On the Tuesday BF Nidum played a White Knights team for the second week in a row. This time it was a White Knights C team that, with the exception of one change, bore an uncanny resemblance to the B team of the previous week. The C team, however, went ½ point better with Nidum having to accept a 4-1 victory. Nidum stay top of Division 1 courtesy of an extra match point from having played one more match than their close rivals.

In the final Division 1 match De la Beche A lost 1½-3½ at home to Morriston B. However, this result added enough game points to De la Beche’s total to take them off the bottom of the table and place them just above BF Brunel. There is little doubt that the battle to avoid relegation could prove just as interesting as the top of the table clashes!

Division 2 was even busier but with much closer matches. CN Tribunes, out graded on every board, drew with White Knights D: a result that keeps both teams neck and neck in the middle of the table. BF Bluebell played a Morriston E team that looked remarkably like their D team due to the unavailability of the E team youngsters. Four draws and a win on board 4 were enough to allow Bluebell to maintain their 100% match record and keep them in the running at the top of the table. UK Harriers hosted De la Beche B on the Wednesday with the result going the way of the stronger team; 1½-3½ to De la Beche.

White Knights E have been the surprise team of the division and their 4-1 victory over Merlins on Thursday has put them second from top, just behind Giants on game points. Giants maintained their top spot by virtue of a 3-2 victory over Morriston D. Both Morriston teams now languish just above the bottom of the table with the D team yet to win a match.

This coming week sees the start of the Individual West Wales Championship. The first round is on Wednesday 21st October at the Upper Killay Chess Club. The organiser is June Evans, the controller is Ian Eustis and the entry fee is £5.

18/10/2015