White Knights A put some clear water between themselves and the chasing pack with a 3½-1½ win over last year’s champions Nidum. The Neath side gained draws on three of the boards but wins for the Knights on boards 1 and 3 secured them the match. White Knights already look like firm favourites for the title with Nidum’s chances of retaining it starting to fade. In the other Division 1 matches White Knights B and C also had results go their way. The C team drew with newly promoted University (two wins and a draw each) while the B team comfortably defeated BF All Blacks 4-1. The All Blacks are now the only team in the division without a point.

The surprise result of the week, however, occurred in Division 2 when White Knights D travelled to Tonna to find themselves heavily outgraded and facing a full strength Emperors team. The match, however, showed that anyone (or everyone) can have an off day and unfortunately for the Emperors this was the day. A 3½-1½ victory for the Knights making it a very good week for the Llanelli club.

Other results in Division 2 saw De la Beche A get off the mark with a 4-1 victory over UK Merlins while on the same Wednesday night University B, in their first match of the season, went down 2-3 to Morriston D. Finally in Division 2 the unavailability of the Coopers Arms resulted in the inter-club match between Morriston B and Morriston C taking place in Glais on the Thursday. A Morriston C team that closely resembled the club’s E team was swamped by their B team clubmates and the resulting 5-0 win for the Bs took them to the top of the table ahead of the unfortunate Emperors.

In Division 3 there were only two matches and both took place on the Friday. The top of the table clash between Morriston E and BF Brunel resulted in a 3½-1½ win for Brunel, a win that takes them 2 points clear at the top. At the other end of the table St Michael’s School notched up their first win with a 3-2 victory over De la Beche C, helped in part by a board 2 default from De la Beche.

Finally another reminder that the first round of the West Wales Closed Championship (aka the E.J. Clarke) takes place at the Upper Killay Chess Club on Wednesday 25th October. Submit your entry to June Evans (june.evans2@yahoo.co.uk) who will be collecting the £5 entry fee on the night.

14/10/2017