Nick Arkell, brother of chess grandmaster Keith Arkell made a guest appearance on Board 1 for Malpas and Oswestry in the Wirral League Cup semi-final against Chester at the Old School Tea Rooms, Malpas on Wednesday April 18.
The Malpas and Oswestry team also included guest appearances by two other players from the Newport Shropshire team, Nat Paul on 5 and Chris Lewis on 6, as well as four of their regular players. The Chester team was made up of the best players from the four sides Chester run in Division 1 of the Wirral League - John Carleton and David Robertson from Chester A, Phil Crocker and Ian McLean from Chester B Mike McDonagh and Colm Buckley from Chester C and Danny Savidge from Chester D.
Chester out-graded Malpas and Oswestry on all board except the bottom board, and Dave Bennion's win over Ian McLean gave the home team an early lead. Their joy was short-lived as captain Charles Lowick Higgie lost on time on board 2 and Chris Lewis did the same on 6. Nat Paul then lost on 5.
Brian Whyte pulled one back for the home side with a win over Danny Savidge on 3, but Richard Bryant lost on 4, then finally on 1 John Carlteton managed to squeeze a win out of what had looked a very drawish opposite coloured bishop ending, to give Chester a 5-2 win.
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