Gosforth Empire take lead in league

GOSFORTH Empire have taken the lead in Division 1 of the Northumbria Chess League, beating leaders Jesmond in their Round 3 match at the Punch Bowl Inn on Tuesday.

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The match was marked by the absence of both teams’ Board 1 players. Gustavo Leon Cazares was unavailable for Gosforth, while Andy Burnett had to pull out with illness at the last minute for Jesmond.

The games were closely fought, with Gosforth’s David Armbruster and Roger Coathup beating Gary Murphy and Andy Trevelyan, respectively, while Jesmond’s Chris Goodall played a blinder, destroying Chris Izod’s defences with a brilliant knight sacrifice. On Board 4, John Turnock (Jesmond) drew with John Liddle (Gosforth).

Gosforth’s 2.5-1.5 victory was in doubt for much of the evening, as Trevelyan was better in his clash with Coathup, but later went astray in the endgame.