Newcastle overtake Gosforth in title race

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(Newcastle Chronicle, 11 April 2025)

Newcastle Dragons are favourites to win the Northumbria Division 1 title after beating Gosforth Empire 2.5-1.5 this week.

Newcastle’s Andy Burnett and Zheming Zhang won, while Gosforth’s James Ross was victorious. Tim Wall (Newcastle) successfully held an endgame draw against Gustavo Leon Cazares (Gosforth).

Newcastle have 17 points from 11 matches, with 31.5 game points, ahead of Gosforth (17 points from 12 matches, 31 game points). Gosforth Empire have finished their matches, but Newcastle play their final match on April 21 against Gosforth Salters.

Newcastle University A (15 points from 11 matches, 28.5 game points) can still mathematically catch Newcastle, but it’s unlikely. Leam Lane (3) are going down after losing to Gosforth Salters 3-1, while the Salters (8) and Jesmond Monarchs (7) are battling to stay up.

Division 1:
1 Newcastle Dragons 17;
2 Gosforth Empire 17;
3 Newcastle University A 15;
4 Tynemouth A 9;
5 Gosforth Salters 8;
6 Jesmond Monarchs 7;
7 Leam Lane Aces 3.

The Division 2 race is between Gosforth Regents (14, two matches to play), South Shields Arbeians (13, three to play) and Tynemouth B (12, one to play). Gosforth Centurions (4) are likely to go down, with either Morpeth A (9) or Alnwick A (8) joining them.

Division 2:
1 Gosforth Regents 14;
2 South Shields Arbeians 13;
3 Tynemouth B 12;
4 Forest Hall Dragons 10;
5 Morpeth A 9;
6 Alnwick A 8;
7 Gosforth Centurions 4.

Division 3 is very close, with Leam Lane Bullets and Gateshead tied on 14 points. Gosforth Hawthorns & Forest Hall Titans (8 from 10) are battling with Morpeth B (6 from 9) to avoid relegation.

Division 3:
1-2 Leam Lane Bullets & Gateshead 14;
3 Gosforth Ivy 10;
4 Gosforth Woodbines 10;
5 Gosforth Hawthorns 8;
6 Forest Hall Titans 8;
7 Morpeth B 6.

In Division 4, Forest Hall Phoenixes are a point ahead of Newcastle Jesters.

Division 4:
1 Forest Hall Phoenixes 19;
2 Newcastle Jesters 18;
3 Tynedale A 13;
4 Newcastle University B 10;
5-6 Tynemouth C & Gosforth Jedis 7;
7 Alnwick B 4.

Jesmond Knights are Division 5 champions, with South Shields Sand-dancers also promoted.

Division 5:
1 Jesmond Knights 22;
2 South Shields S-D 17;
3-4 Tynemouth D & Gosforth Otterburns 12;
5-6 Forest Hall Centaurs & Morpeth C 9;
7 Forest Hall Griffins 8;
8 Alnwick C 5.

Gosforth Siths and Newcastle Cavaliers are promoted from Division 6.

Division 6:
1 Gosforth Siths 21;
2 Newcastle Cavaliers 19;
3 Newcastle University C 16;
4 South Shields Custodians 12;
5 Forest Hall Wizards 11;
6 Morpeth D 9;
7 Cramlington Royals 8;
8 Newcastle University Women 2.

PUZZLES

Puzzle A: White to move.

Puzzle B: White to move.

Puzzle C: Kasparov-Tatai. White to move.

Puzzle D: Henri Rinck’s study. White to move.

ANSWERS:

A: 1 Rh8! Rxa7 2 Rh7+.
B: 1 Be5+! Kxe5 2 Qc3+.
C: 1 Qh6+ Ke7 2 Qg7+ Kxd6 (2…Kd8 3 Qf8+ Kc7 4 Nb5+) 3 Qf8+.
D: 1 Ra8! Qa2 (1…Qxa8 2 Bf3+; 1…Qc4 2 Rc8+; 1…Qh7 2 Bg6 Qxg6 3 Ra6+) 2 Rxa4 Qxa4 3 Be8+.