Peter Kitchen

Holyhead on the fast track for glory with opening round upset

James Holyhead has produced one of the biggest upsets in Shrewsbury Town Championship for many years by defeating defending champion Nathanael Paul in the opening round. Telepost’s Holyhead made up a rating deficit of more than 600 ECF points to record a stunning victory that few would have predicted. Playing with the white pieces in …

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Lockdown enables brothers to join forces at chess for the first time

It forced families across the country apart for several months in the name of public safety – but the lockdown brought about by the Covid-19 has actually helped two brothers to form an unlikely alliance over the chess board. Peter and John Westhead recently played in a competitive chess match for the same team for …

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Budding juniors enjoy their moment in promotion spotlight

The next generation of potential chess stars in Shropshire has clinched promotion on the national league stage – at the first time of asking. Shropshire Juniors have finished sixth in the 34-team division four of the Junior Four Nations Chess League Online competition. Despite ending their campaign last week with a 3.5-1.5 loss to Colchester …

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Champagne corks popping as Maddocks end seven-year wait for title

Maddocks A are the new chess champions of Shropshire after sealing their first division one title for seven years. The Oakengates-based side came from behind to win 3.5-1.5 away to bottom side Shrewsbury to mathematically secure the championship with two games to go. Glyn Pugh’s side have won all six matches so far and will …

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All kitted out in team colours – for a night at the chess board

They are a regular sight in football and rugby matches up and down the country – but could team kits become the norm for the local chess scene? Some Maddocks Chess Club members sported their new black polo shirts with a smart newly-designed club logo on the opening night of Shropshire Rapidplay League at Shrewsbury’s …

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“T20” rapidplay league making a return after two-year break

It’s like the T20 version of chess – and it’s coming back to Shropshire this week after a two-year break, writes Peter Kitchen. Shropshire Rapidplay Chess League will start on Friday, when Shrewsbury Chess club will host the opening night at the Nerdy Café in Mardol. Shrewsbury A, Telepost A, Maddocks A and Maddocks B …

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