Fenton Out Of Open Cup

Our dreams of reaching our first ever Open Cup Final came to nothing following a 4-2 loss at Macclesfield on Monday evening. We got off to a bad start when Petru, who was feeling very unwell, lost on board 2. Gerald got us back on terms with a win on board 1 but we went behind again when Glyn lost, in what looked like an even position, on board 3. Grenville then dropped a Rook on board 6 while 3 pawns up, putting us 3-1 behind. Max brought things back to 3-2 with a very impressive win on board 5, leaving me the last to finish. Unfortunately I managed to blunder a piece away while in time trouble in a totally drawn position on board 4, making the final score 4-2. Click here for the match score card.

Petru Back On Form

Petru was back on top form at the weekend, winning both of his matches for Cheddleton in Rounds 3 & 4 of 4NCL Division 3 North.

You can view his Round 3 game here and his Round 4 game here.

Change Of Club Night

There will be no Club night on Monday 21st January. Instead, for that week only, it will be on Wednesday 23rd January, when we will be hosting Rushall in the Withnall (County U121) Trophy.

Grenville Wins - Steve And Max Don't !!

Myself, Max and Grenville all played for the County U140 team against Derbyshire yesterday. Grenville's good form for the County continued as he won his game on board 13. I managed to lose my game on board 4, as did Max on board 5. Fortunately this did not prevent Staffs from recording their first win of the season by 9-7. Click here for the match score card.

Charitable Donation

The Club made a donation of £50 just before Christmas to go to the Tollgate charity of their choice. I have just been told that it has gone to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

'A' Team Captaincy

Ray's current circumstances make it difficult for him the carry on as 'A' team and Open Cup team Captain so I shall be taking over for the remainder of the season.

'B' Team Narrowly Beaten Again

The 'B' team were narrowly beaten by top of the table Crewe 'A' in Division 2 last night. A disastrous start saw Petru blunder away a piece on board 1 to give Crewe an early lead. Glyn restored parity with a good win on board 2 but we then fell behind again when Grenville squandered a good position to lose on board 5. Max's game on board 4 always looked level and the inevitable draw followed. I was the last to finish on board 3 and, after playing 75% of the game a pawn down, both myself and my opponent were down to 90 seconds on the clock when he blundered his pawn advantage away to put us level on material. With the seconds drifting away we agreed a draw, only realising afterwards that I had missed a mate !! This would have given us a draw but, in the event, Crewe came away with a 3-2 win. Click here for the match score card

'C' Team Kick Off 2019 With A Loss

The 'C' team were beaten 2.5 - 1.5 by Newcastle 'E' last night, in their opening match of 2019. A good win for Grenville on board 2 and a draw for Derek on board 3 were all we had to show for our efforts on the night. Click here for the match score card.

'C' Team Off The Bottom Of Table

The 'C' team lifted themselves off the bottom of Division 4 with a 2.5 - 1.5 win against Kidsgrove last night. Wins for myself and Ernie on boards 1 and 2, plus a draw from Stuart on board 3, gave us the points. Click here for the match score card.

Close But No Cigar

The 'A' Team were narrowly beaten 3 - 2 in Division 1 by Newcastle 'A' last night, in a match that we should really have won. Glyn and I both drew our games on boards 3 and 5 respectively. I had a straightforward winning line in the endgame but, not for the first time this season, I failed to play it. However, I can't really complain as I was under pressure for most of the game and didn't really deserve a win. Kas had a clever checkmate in his game on board 4 but, unfortunately, Ray miscalculated in his  endgame on board 2 and converted an easy win into a loss. Click here for the match score card.