First Team Update

1 Apr 25 Steve Whatmore

Forgive me if you've read this before, but we were again outrated on every board. As ever though, one of our players stepped up and this time Alex won his game. 2 draws by John G and Shane helped our score, but losses on the top 3 boards meant that we lost 4-2.

We finish the Birmingham League comfortably in mid table of Division 2 thanks to some strong early results. Thanks to everyone who played and contributed this season.

First Team Update

25 Mar 25 Steve Whatmore

Believe it or not, we were outrated on every board again!

However, once again, we battled hard to get a point. Draws from myself, John S, Steve Wilcox and Alex were all well deserved. The star of the evening though was undoubtedly Peter, who needed a win with us 3-2 down and him still playing. He chose two wonderful sacrifices, firstly giving up a Bishop for two Pawns and then his Queen for a Bishop to ensure one of those Pawns was able to reach the 8th rank and take victory. A fantastic piece of play with time running down. Well played Peter!

First Team Update

18 Mar 25 Steve Whatmore

Once again we were outrated across every board - it's becoming a bit of a theme. However, two excellent wins by Alex and John G plus draws from Shane and myself meant that we shared the spoils and advance to mid-table.

First Team Update

4 Mar 25 Steve Whatmore

A fantastic win by Shane and draws by John S, Alex and myself weren't enough to give us the points as we lost 2½ - 3½ to South Birmingham.

First Team Update

25 Feb 25 Steve Whatmore

Once again we were outrated on every board, but draws from John S, Shane and myself gave us the 1½ points. Each of our 3 defeats went deep into the games with our players giving very strong accounts of themselves.

Final score: Wolverhampton 4½ - Rushall 1½

CDCL Chase Trophy

Tamworth vs Rushall  4 Feb 2025

5 Feb 25 Steve Whatmore

Tamworth progress to the Final on board count.

First Team Update

WDCL Div 1 Rushall  vs Halesowen  3 Feb 2025

5 Feb 25 Steve Whatmore

Again outrated on every board we battled hard to gain a valuable point in our fight for Division 1 survival. 

First Team Update

30 Jan 25 Steve Whatmore

Despite being outrated on every board we came away with a terrific win. Strong draws from John S and Steve Wilcox put is in a good position and then victories by Peter L, Cosmin and myself guaranteed us the victory. Finally, Shane battled hard on board 6 but narrowly lost his game.

First Team Update

21 Jan 25 Steve Whatmore

A good solid win by Stephen and another win by John showing his terrific end game technique got us the draw. I volunteered to take on Rugeley's up and coming superstar to no avail and sadly Cosmin lost a very open attacking game on board 4.

We have now finished our CDCL Division 1 campaign with 2 wins, 2 draws & 2 defeats. Although we are top now, the other 3 teams have games in hand meaning that we will finish either runners-up or third.

First Team Update

14 Jan 25  Steve Whatmore

We managed to collect a very welcome 2 points. Stephen lost to a 2100+ ECF rated player on board 1, while John achieved a very creditable draw against a stronger opponent. Cosmin's game on board 3 was wild with his early Pawn sacrifice creating a very strong attack that eventually forced victory. I finished last on 4, managing to force a win with my good Bishop against a bad Bishop in the middle game.

First Team Update

10 Jan 25 Steve Whatmore

We visited Lichfield's first team in our latest Wolverhampton Division 1 match yesterday. Each of our opponents were significantly higher rated but Stephen, John and myself all managed to claim draws. However, Cosmin narrowly lost his game when his opponent managed to obtain an outside passed Pawn which his King was forced to block, leaving a free Pawn on the other flank to Queen. 

Overall, to lose to such a strong Lichfield team, by a relatively small margin was a fine performance.

Final score: Lichfield 2½ Rushall 1½

BDCL Div 2 Rushall vs Walsall Kipping on 6 Jan 2025

4 Jan 25 Steve Whatmore

Walsall kipping were unable to play due to illness of a key player. Our thoughts are with him and we wish him a quick recovery.

(The original game was postponed by Walsall Kipping and rearranged for this new date. Sadly, Rushall had no free dates in 2025 to rearrange it a second time).

First Team Update

17 Dec 24 Steve Whatmore

 I gambled on rotating our line up in our penultimate Cannock League Division 1 game against Lichfield last night. I moved up to face off against Lichfield's top board while Stephen and John took boards 2 & 3. Cosmin won a piece early on and went on to defeat his opponent on board 4, while Stephen and John both drew. I was last to finish but although I gave it everything, I couldn't survive long enough to really trouble my opponent and lost leaving the score 2 - 2. This was an improvement on our away defeat, so the plan worked pretty well. We now have one match left at home to Rugeley in January. With all four Division 1 teams still able to win the league it promises to be an interesting match.

First Team Update

13 Dec 24 Steve Whatmore

With several first team players missing we had tried to reschedule our latest Birmingham League Division 2 match at Shirley & Wythall last night. We'd happily accommodated similar pleas from Walsall Kipping and Longbridge earlier in the season, but our opponents refused our request. I was resigned to reluctantly forfeiting the game but Cosmin was determined to play and 'guaranteed' that we'd win. After dozens of emails and calls, we eventually had Shane and Stefan standing in at short notice and had a full 6 board team, although several of us were significantly outrated.

Things looked quite optimistic with Shane gaining an excellent draw, along with myself, Cosmin and Peter L. John S, on board 1, had a Pawn advantage in the middle game but his opponent had a much better minor piece and eventually the pressure on his defences told leading to defeat. At 3-2 Stefan was left to finish against his opponent who outrated him by 300+ points. Stefan played a very attacking game, but came out of the middle game a Rook down. He managed to put significant pressure on his opponent's King, but eventually it found a safe haven and defeat followed.

Final score: Shirley & Wythall 4 Rushall 2

Thank you to everyone who played, especially Shane and Stefan who stepped in at short notice. Apologies to Matt who was all set to play until we remembered that we'd only registered the top 20 or so rated players thinking that he'd never be needed.

First Team Update

4 Dec 24 Steve Whatmore

Our latest game in the Wolverhampton League Division 1 saw us outrated on every board. It was so one sided that Mercia's board 4 was higher rated than John on our board 1. With Stephen taking his mock exams Alex stepped in and played superbly to grab a draw in a Bishop v Knight endgame while myself, John and Cosmin all tasted defeat.

Final score: Mercia 3½ Rushall ½

Cannock Individual Trophy Tournaments

26 Nov 24 Steve Whatmore

Four of our players entered the Cannock League individual tournaments this season. In the Robert Ward Trophy, Stephen Gaskell, Steve Wilcox and I have all won through to the knockout stages. With five players in total qualifying, Stephen was randomly drawn to play a quarter-final qualifier while Steve and I have been given a bye into the semi-finals.

In the Dolan Trophy, for players rated below 1500 ECF, Aarav Sohi received a really tough draw having to play two of the highest rated players in the competition. However, he performed very well and despite losing his first game, he fought hard to win his second last night and qualify for the knockout rounds in the new year. Congratulations Aarav!

First Team Update

20 Nov 24 Steve Whatmore

We started last night's game at Rugeley in 4th and last place in Cannock League Division 1. However a close victory moved us right up to 1st place and ensured that we still have hopes of winning the league. Stephen lost to Rugeley's rapidly improving board 1, but the scores were tied when John won on board 2. With Cosmin ahead in a Pawn endgame, when I got offered a draw in a slightly better position, I was happy to take it. Cosmin soon converted his advantage and we came away with a 2½ - 1½ win.

We have two Cannock League Division 1 games remaining - at home to Lichfield & Rugeley - and know that we need victory in both to ensure we take the title. Anything less and our hopes will be over.

First Team Update

12 Nov 24 Steve Whatmore

Disaster struck in last night's Cannock League Division 1 match at Wolverhampton. Stephen got a creditable draw on Board 1, but John, myself and Cosmin all had the advantage in our openings but our positions slowly disintegrated leading to 3 defeats.  We now sit bottom of the table, but things are so tight that victory at Rugeley next week will put us top. 

2nd Rapidplay of the Season

5 Nov 24 Steve Whatmore

With no league matches yesterday Steve Wilcox organised another club Rapidplay evening. It was very well supported with a total of 23 players taking part, including the majority of our first team, making it a very competitive and enjoyable evening. Cosmin was the overall winner with 4½/5, followed by Alex, Stephen and John Staniforth all with 4/5. Prizes were awarded based on finishing position, over 60s, under 18s and slow starters. The under 1640 rating prize was shared by John Grant, Craig, Stefan and Liam who all achieved 3/5. Congratulations to all of the winners.

All games played between current ECF members will be rated.

Thanks to Steve for organising a great evening and to everyone who kindly donated their cash prizes back to the club.

CHASE TROPHY

30 Oct 24 Steve Whatmore

Our Semi Final match versus Tamworth has been arranged for Tuesday 4th February, with the game being played at Norton Canes due to the lack of free Mondays we have available.

CHASE TROPHY

26 Oct 24 Steve Whatmore

The first round game at Stafford last night saw us go through to the semi-finals after a 3½ - ½ victory. Due to a family bereavement Stafford's board 1 was unable to attend so Stephen had a default victory. Shane then agreed a draw on board 4 leaving Cosmin and Peter just needing a draw between them for us to progress. Cosmin was the exchange up when his opponent's time expired to give him and us the win and shortly after, Peter sacrificed a Knight on h7 that was incorrectly taken by his opponent. Peter's Queen & Rook then combined to threaten checkmate and with no escape his opponent graciously resigned.

Final score: Stafford ½ Rushall 3½

In the semi-finals Stephen drew us out to play at home to Tamworth - a repeat of last year's final. The date is yet to be agreed. Wolverhampton & Rugeley will contest the other semi-final.

First Team Update

15 Oct 24 Steve Whatmore

We won our latest Birmingham League Division 2 game at Oscott last night. 3 players won their games and 3 drew. Making his Birmingham League season debut, Shane finished first with a drawn game that ended with a level Queen & Rook position. Cosmin won his game after a clever sacrifice forced a trade down to a Queen v Rook endgame. Stephen totally swamped his opponent in the middle game and a multi-piece attack resulted in another win, closely followed by Peter who converted his level piece endgame into a win with some clever maneuvers. John and I then drew our games with victory already assured.

Final score Oscott 1½ Rushall 4½

First Team Update

8 Oct 24 Steve Whatmore

There was no luck involved in our Cannock League Division 1 game versus Wolverhampton - just some quality chess. Although John lost and I drew, superb play from Cosmin who defended well then took his slight advantage (2 Knights v Rook & extra Pawn) forward to victory, took us to a 1½ - 1½ score with just Stephen to finish. He had a Queen versus Rook & Knight in a very complicated end game. Eventually he sacrificed his Queen for the 2 pieces with both players Queening Pawns at the same time. Stephen however, had 3 Pawns remaining to his opponent's 1. That became 2 - 1, but he cleverly swapped off a Pawn each and eventually his last Pawn pushed on to get a 2nd Queen. His opponent played accurately to stop him and looked to have held on for a draw at one point. However, Stephen's tenacity paid off and an inaccuracy allowed him to fork his opponents King & Queen, leading to the swapping off of both Queens and allowing his last remaining Pawn through untouched. A fantastic victory that earned us both points.

Final score: Rushall 2½ Wolverhampton 1½

First Team Update

1 Oct 24 Steve Whatmore

Well our luck certainly changed in our latest encounter. We took on an extremely strong Central Birmingham team in our first Birmingham League Division 2 match of the season. We were out-rated by around 800 ECF points across the 6 boards, but managed a terrific 3 - 3 draw. I lost early and then John drew. Peter played very aggressively and won after his opponent had to give up a minor piece to prevent being mated. Alex then lost after a clever combination overwhelmed his defences, leaving Stephen and Cosmin to finish with us 2½ -1½ behind. Stephen eventually agreed a draw as the end game position became blocked, but at the same time Cosmin's opponent got behind his defences. Sadly for him, just as he was about to win material, his time expired and Cosmin was able to claim the win and a draw for the team.

Final score: Rushall 3 Central Birmingham 3

First Team Update

25 Sep 24 Steve Whatmore

It was deja vu all over again in our latest Wolverhampton League Division 1 match. We visited West Bromwich and lost narrowly for the 2nd time in 8 days. This time myself, Stephen and John got creditable draws on the top 3 boards - Stephen after a brave Bishop sacrifice, John after a sharp French Defence and me after a rare Queen's Gambit Accepted. However, Cosmin sadly lost concentration after his opponent offered a draw, which he politely declined, only to go and lose a piece for nothing on the next move. This was the turning point in the game and led to his eventual defeat and therefore a narrow team defeat.

We now have a break from Wolverhampton League play for a while, but start our Birmingham League Division 2 season next Monday hoping for a bit better luck.

Final score West Bromwich 2½ - Rushall 1½