Fisherwick Flattened in Demolition Derby
Division 1 chess returns to Queen's University
After having the foundations of their Division 1 challenge rocked by Clifton House in the first round, the Queen's chess team now look to get their their first bonus points of the season with a home match against Fisherwick. The demoralising nature of the defeat to Clifton (doubled by Damien Cunningham's sustained post-match jeering) meant that last week's free week for QUB was a most welcome chance to take a step back, knuckle down, and focus on starting afresh.
Such rejuvenation is also evident amongst this week's visitors to the Peter Froggatt Centre, Fisherwick. Last year Fisherwick decided to withdraw from Belfast District League 1, despite having one of the finest competition records in Ulster Chess history. Unsurprisingly, the evil Empire has returned to the top flight once more, with the obvious ambition of reclaiming the Silver King for the dark side. Resounding wins against both Civil Service and Clifton House may well be considered the first steps in an Imperial march towards the Division 1 title.
Nevertheless, Queen's were back in their PFC fortress of solitude, had the Leinster and Ulster champions lining up on the top two boards again, and were also blessed by the return of their pin-up captain. Fisherwick doubtless feared that anything was possible.
Given the closeness between the two most successful sides in Ulster chess, it was not unexpected that all five games were to come within 10 minutes of the time control.
For a full report on the match, visit:
