Shropshire open team captain Peter Kitchen bowed out in style in the first match of the season – and his last as captain – against Derbyshire in the Midland Counties Chess Union Minor Championship.

The result was a convincing 10.5-5.5 win at Shifnal.

Non-playing captain Kitchen reports: “Despite an unfortunate defeat inside 11 moves for debutant Ben Nickson, a series of wins in the middle and lower order propelled us into an 8-2 lead which we never looked like losing.

“It was an important win as it is our only home match of the season, with the remaining three either away or at neutral venues.

“This was my last match as open team captain and I’m delighted I was able to go out in style. I would like to thank everyone who has supported the team during my captaincy over the past two-and-a-half years for turning out both home and away.

“I’m stepping down due to increased work commitments but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed captaining the team, even when we were suffering heavy defeats against the ‘giants’ of the open championship two years ago.

“For the record, Shropshire played seven, won two and lost five under my captaincy.

“Importantly, we will need a new captain in place before our next match against Lincolnshire on November 13, be it an individual or a small team of people. Anyone with ideas or interested in taking on the job should contact Shropshire Chess Association president Francis Best.”

Short-handed

Shropshire winners were Nigel Ferrington, Jamie Hopkins, Richard Bryant, David Everington, Brian Whyte, Toby Neal, Colin Roberts, John Whittaker and John Westhead, and draws came from Vikas Sharma, Glyn Pugh, and Nathanael Paul.

In the league, Shrewsbury A’s good start continued against a short-handed Newport.

David Everington reports: “Although Nick Rutter salvaged a point with a fascinating good knight vs bad bishop ending against Jamie Hopkins – which went right to the end of the session – Shrewsbury won the other games.

“John Parrott’s return for the home side brought him a second successive win with a nice sacrificial kingside attack and Francis Best found a neat tactical breakthrough to win against Danny Griffiths’ Sokolsky Attack – 1 b4 e5 2 Bb2 Bb4 3 Bxe5.”

Vikas Sharma salvaged a point for Wellington A against reigning league champions Telepost A in what has become his trademark fashion – going into the time scramble with more time on his clock, and then keeping his head.

“I wish I had had another minute,” said his defeated opponent Nigel Ferrington ruefully after his flag fell while defending a rook and pawn ending, during which he was having to make moves instantly, while Sharma had enough time left to do some thinking.

By TOBY NEAL