Exciting finale for Minor Cup - 10/07/2012
The final of Shropshire's Minor Cup chess knockout proved to be a great climax to the tournament, with all four games lasting over three hours as Telepost C scored a surprise victory over reigning champions Shifnal & Telford B by 2.5 to 1.5.
On board one a close game between Noel Kiffin of Telepost and Simon Maydew of Shifnal &Telford was finally decided when, under extreme time pressure, Maydew's position began to crumble and he finally resigned with just seconds remaining on his clock.
Board two saw another another close game between Charles Micalef of Telepost and Richard Thompson. It was finally decided when Thompson doubled up a rook and a queen and smashed through Micalef's defence to achieve mate - an oversight by Micalef, but as both players had just a couple of minutes left on their clocks it was an understandable mistake.
Board three saw a truly fascinating game. Windsor Peck of Shifnal &Telford had a rook and three pawns against John Westhead's lone king, but with only seconds left on his clock Peck stalemated his opponent - an automatic draw. It is probable that Peck would have run out of time anyway before he could force checkmate.
Stefan Tennant of Shifnal & Telford made an early mistake against Vinny Crean on board four and lost a piece. However he battled ferociously till the very end and and again both players had perhaps two minutes left on their clocks when Crean finally forced mate.
- Shropshire Star 10/07/2012
The final of Shropshire's Minor Cup chess knockout proved to be a great climax to the tournament, with all four games lasting over three hours as Telepost C scored a surprise victory over reigning champions Shifnal & Telford B by 2.5 to 1.5.
On board one a close game between Noel Kiffin of Telepost and Simon Maydew of Shifnal &Telford was finally decided when, under extreme time pressure, Maydew's position began to crumble and he finally resigned with just seconds remaining on his clock.
Board two saw another another close game between Charles Micalef of Telepost and Richard Thompson. It was finally decided when Thompson doubled up a rook and a queen and smashed through Micalef's defence to achieve mate - an oversight by Micalef, but as both players had just a couple of minutes left on their clocks it was an understandable mistake.
Board three saw a truly fascinating game. Windsor Peck of Shifnal &Telford had a rook and three pawns against John Westhead's lone king, but with only seconds left on his clock Peck stalemated his opponent - an automatic draw. It is probable that Peck would have run out of time anyway before he could force checkmate.
Stefan Tennant of Shifnal & Telford made an early mistake against Vinny Crean on board four and lost a piece. However he battled ferociously till the very end and and again both players had perhaps two minutes left on their clocks when Crean finally forced mate.
- Shropshire Star 10/07/2012
Afterwards organiser Jon Smith announced that Noel Kiffin was to be awarded the Player of the Tournament prize, saying: "With two wins and a draw on board one for Telepost C, his contribution was decisive, although Richard Thompson of Shifnal &Telford B and Keith Tabner of Telepost B are also deserving of a mention as both had 100 per cent records with three wins out of three."