AFTER a good win against Worcester St Johns in their first match in defence of their Worcester and District League title, Malvern Chess Club suffered a setback with a defeat at home to Droitwich.

This meant that a good result was particularly important when they travelled to play the previous champions, Kidderminster Knights, in order to regain momentum.

The results were as follows, Malvern players first. Malvern had white on the odd boards. 1) B Turner 1-0 J Wrench; (2) I Clarke 1-0 M Bissell; (3) G Herbert 0.5-0.5 F Pickett; (4) M Ginger 0.5-0.5.

Boards three and four featured fairly quick draws, leaving the decisive battles to both side's top players.

Paul Thomas played a Vienna game on board four and generated significant pressure on the king's side. Maurice Ginger forced some exchanges to diffuse the pressure and secure half a point.

Geoffrey Herbert misplayed the opening against Frank Pickett's modern defence but was eventually able to untangle his pieces and achieve a level position in which a draw was agreed.

Brian Turner had struggled in recent games against John Wrench. This time on board one however, he gained a space advantage and the initiative against John's French defence. Brian used this as the launch pad for a ferocious attack against the black king. John hung on grimly for some time, but eventually lost a piece and the game when trying to break free from Brian's stranglehold.

The result of the match now depended on board two. Things looked bad for Malvern for some time. Maurice Bissell attacked on the queen's side in a King's Indian defence and won a pawn. Ian Clarke managed to stabilise the situation and hang on to reach the time control.

Maurice tried to force a win due to the match situation, but his position became uncoordinated when Ian switched his pieces to the king's side and generated some initiative. Ian's attack eventually proved decisive as he won material and the game in a time scramble.

This gave Malvern a 3-1 win.