Wellington 0 Sedgemoor 4

Last week, Wellington Chess Club hosted local rivals Sedgemoor in a league match in Division 2 of the West Somerset League.

Wellington had gained a narrow victory against Sedgemoor earlier this season and the visitors produced a very strong team to seek revenge in the return.

Leading Sedgemoor’s challenge was Hugo Fowler on Board 1. He was Sedgemoor’s only winner in the earlier fixture and was fresh from winning a recent tournament at Torquay for players graded up to 2050. Up against him was Wellington’s captain, Alex Conway who had taken part in the same competition and finished much lower down the table. Alex realised he had a tough battle on his hands but gave a good account of himself in a tactically complex game but eventually was forced to resign.

By this time John Jeremiah and Ben Cooper and Simon Pickard had already lost their games giving Sedgemoor a winning lead on the night. Simon and his opponent both went for all out attacking but Simon’s queen was caught at the wrong end of the board and unable to return to the defence of his king.

This became an insurmountable problem and Simon was forced to resign.

John Jeremiah looked to have an equal position in his game but under pressure in the end game and allowed his opponent’s rook to penetrate his defences which proved crucial and gave the win to the Sedgemoor man.

Teenage prospect Ben Cooper was making his Division 2 debut against a tough experienced opponent. Ben was tested with some dangerous tactics from his opponent but defended well and looked set for a deserved victory after gaining a 2 pawn advantage.

Heartbreakingly Ben was caught with a sucker punch, losing a rook and with it the game. This defeat for Ben should not dishearten him as is all part of the process of gaining experience and he should take confidence from the rest of his performance.