QUB 3 complete their stroll to Division 3 title

Division 1

• The A Team 1-4 Muldoons 1

Champions Muldoons 1 were far too strong as they recorded a 4-1 win to move 7.5 points clear in the Silver King chase, having played one more match than nearest rivals Ballynafeigh 1, although Bruce Maclean and John McKenna did well to secure draws against players rated over 200 points higher than them.

The week's other scheduled match between QUB 1 and Ballynafeigh 1 was postponed.

Division 2

• Muldoons 2 1-4 Kelly's Heroes
• Ballynafeigh 3 1.5-3.5 Civil Service
• QUB 2 3.5-1.5 Ballynafeigh 4
• Bangor Webbs 3.5-1.5 Fruithill

Ballynafeigh 3, who had appeared to be cruising towards the John Strawbridge Cup, suffered their first league defeat of the season as Civil Service, helped by new arrival Danny Roberts (holding a FIDE rating of 1975 and an ICU rating of 1816), secured a 3.5-1.5 win. The home side's points all came courtesy of the Zelenchuks, with son Daniil holding Paul McGuigan to a draw and father Dmitry beating David Jackson. Nearest rivals QUB 2 closed the gap to 8.5 points with a 3.5-1.5 win over Ballynafeigh 4, with Milad Foozoni and Paddy Magee winning the crucial games. Kelly's Heroes were 4-1 winners against Muldoons 2, and the Bangor Webbs won 3.5-1.5 against Fruithill despite John Monaghan (1149) claiming the upset of the week against Michael Sheerin (1374).

Division 3

• Ballynafeigh 5 1-4 QUB 3
• Ballynafeigh 7 3.5-1.5 QUB 4

QUB 3 were confirmed as the Division 3 champions after they won their 12th match out of 12, beating Ballynafeigh 5 4-1 (with only the debuting Adam McClenaghan failing to win) and nearest rivals QUB 4 lost 3.5-1.5 to Ballynafeigh 7 - a result that leaves QUB 4 39 points behind with only 35 left to play for.