Press Report 19th January 2018

In the first match of the New Year, South Hams were at home to a very strong Newton Abbot team in Division 2. South Hams lost narrowly, with a win for Ben Wilkinson, a draw for Phil McConnell, and defeats for David Archer and Chris Willcox.

In Division 4, South Hams travelled to Torquay Boys Grammar School. It is a great credit to the TBGS boys that, despite being massively out-graded on paper, they pulled off a shock win by 2½ – 1½. For South Hams, Alan Davies won, Roy Greenhalgh drew, but Ken Ashby and Barry Sweetman were defeated. TBGS fielded a young team; expect these talented youngsters to come on strongly in the next few years!

The following evening, in Division 3 South Hams got their revenge on TBGS, who fielded a more senior team, with a 3 – 1 home victory. Phil McConnell and Ken Ashby won their games, while Ben Wilkinson and Roy Greenhalgh drew.

South Hams met Torbay in the semi-finals of the Knockout Cup. Torbay fielded a team with strength in depth and won 4-2; for South Hams there were wins for Steve Levy and Ben Wilkinson, but defeats for Phil McConnell, Roy Greenhalgh, Ken Ashby and Alan Davies.

The internal leagues have got off to a flying start in the New Year. In the Homan League, the key issue is who can mount a challenge to the Club Champion Steve Levy? In a long and exciting game, which had several club members clustered round the board watching, James Schofield had Steve on the ropes before erring under time pressure and allowing Steve to checkmate James’ king. A lucky escape for the Club Champion! In the Dunleavy League, the player who has made the strongest start is James Fowler, with three wins from three games.

In the Cookworthy Cup, Chris Wilkinson defeated Dennis Russell and will meet Ken Ashby in the next round.

In the Devon County Chess Association Individual Competition, Phil McConnell beat Anthony Dunford (Exeter University).