WHILE Wellington Chess Club’s top team are challenging for the West Somerset League championship, the 4 board team are having a tougher time of it in Division Three. Last week they entertained Taunton Knights who were bent on revenge after the 4-0 thrashing Wellington had handed out to them earlier in the season.

Taunton arrived with a much stronger team then last time and proceeded to take an early lead when Wellington’s promising teenager Ollie Sells lost on board 4 to Stephen Smith. There then followed draws on boards 1 and 3 for Robert Harris and captain David Smith (both pictured, David in dark top). David was first of these to finish meaning that Wellington now needed two wins to take the match.

Unfortunately, Robert Harris was stuck in a turgid tactical battle with Nigel Cottle and could do no better than a draw. This put all the pressure on Neil Butler, making only his second appearance for the club. Neil was a pawn down and battled until late in the evening in an attempt to force a much needed win but eventually had to succumb to a defeat after a tremendous effort, making the final score 3-1 to Taunton. Neil’s performance shows that he is likely to be a promising addition to the team in the future.

Next week’s edition will carry a report on league leaders Wellington’s top team playing away at second place Glastonbury knowing that a win will open up a five-point gap at the top of the league.