What The Papers Say

Time scrambles – where players frantically make their moves instantaneously before running out of seconds and losing the game – can lead to strange things happening on the chess board. Just ask Newport’s Shane Greenwood and Shrewsbury’s Francis Best – both players mistakenly left their kings in check within a few moves of each other …

Kings left in the firing line during rapidplay time scramble chaos Read More »

While the sporting world is gripped by the Premier League title race between Manchester City and Liverpool, two teams are both tantalisingly close from Shropshire Chess League glory of their own. Maddocks B missed the chance to clinch the division two title after losing 3-2 away to Telepost B, who are now their nearest challengers. …

Premier League is not the only title race in town Read More »

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 …

Holyhead on the fast track for glory with opening round upset Read More »

Shrewsbury Chess Club have pulled off a coup by enticing Nathanael Paul – Shropshire’s third highest rated player – to join the club from rivals Telepost. Paul, who has an ECF rating of 2142, has signed for the club primarily to enable him to attempt to defend his Shrewsbury Town Championship title, which he won …

Nathanael on the move ahead of town championship campaign Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

Budding juniors enjoy their moment in promotion spotlight Read More »

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 …

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

Telepost A gained revenge over old foes Shrewsbury by winning the Shropshire Chess League county town derby 4-1. Matthew Clark’s side avenged a 3-2 defeat to their local rivals in December with a convincing display to put some distance between themselves and the bottom of the table – and leave Shrewsbury rooted to the foot …

Telepost claim the big one amidst deluge of derbies Read More »

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 …

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

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 …

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