MALVERN Chess Club opened their account in the Worcester County League with a draw against Kidderminster recently.

1 B Turner 0.5-0.5 J Wrench, 2 G Herbert 0.5-0.5 F Pickett, 3 S Fuchs 0.5-0.5 M Bissell, 4 I Clarke 1-0 G Link , 5 J Knee 0.5-0.5 M Riley, 6 M Ginger 0-1 D Close.

The only Malvern winner was on board four, Ian Clarke gave up a pawn in the opening for active piece play. He built up pressure against the black king and got away with a dubious sacrifice in a complicated position. He was able to maintain the initiative as one of black's bishops became misplaced. Eventually he won the exchange and black had to resign when his king was forced into the open.