(Newcastle Chronicle, 23 February 2024)

Newcastle A have wrapped up the Northumbria League with two rounds to spare after a dominant performance in the club’s first season. After beating South Shields A 3.5-0.5, Newcastle have a maximum 16 points and cannot be caught by second-placed Gosforth Empire on 9 points.

Newcastle’s individual results are impressive: Tim Wall & Andy Burnett 6/8, Zheming Zhang 5.5/7 and Nathan Ekanem 4/4.

Newcastle A (formerly Forest Hall A) have this season formed their own club, which now meets at The Old George Inn on Tuesdays at 7:15pm.

At the foot of Division 1 are Tynemouth A (4 points) and Jesmond (5 points). The bottom team are automatically relegated, while the second-last team have to survive a playoff match against the second-placed team from the division below to stay up.

Division 2 is finely poised, with Gosforth Salters (13 points) ahead of Newcastle University A (12 points). The relegation dogfight is between Forest Hall Foxes (3 points) and South Shields B (1 point).

Tynemouth B and Gosforth Centurions (both on 13 points) are battling it out for the Division 3 title, while Morpeth B (4 points) and Forest Hall Woodpeckers (1 point) are in the drop zone.

In Division 4, Leam Lane Bullets (14 points) are ahead of Gosforth Hawthorns (12 points). The relegation battle is between Forest Hall Squirrels and Morpeth C (both on 2 points).

Newcastle University B (14 points) are Division 5 champions, beyond the reach of Gosforth Jedis (9 points). Leam Lane Comets (2 points) are almost certain to be relegated.

In Division 6, Newcastle B (12 points) still have to face second-placed Alnwick C (9 points).

Full scores:

Division 1:
1. Newcastle A 16;
2. Gosforth Empire 9;
3.-4 Leam Lane Aces, South Shields A 8;
5. Jesmond 5;
6. Tynemouth 4.

Division 2:
1. Gosforth Salters 13;
2. Newcastle University A 12;
3. Morpeth A 8;
4. Gosforth Regents 7;
5. Forest Hall Foxes 3;
6. South Shields B 1.

Division 3:
1-2. Tynemouth B, Gosforth Centurions 13;
3. Alnwick A 10;
4. Gosforth Ivy 5;
5. Morpeth B 4;
6. Forest Hall Woodpeckers 1.

Division 4:
1. Leam Lane Bullets 14;
2. Gosforth Hawthorns 12;
3. Gateshead 10;
4-5. Gosforth Woodbines, Tynemouth C 9;
6-7. Forest Hall Squirrels, Morpeth C 2.

Division 5:
1. Newcastle University B 14;
2. Gosforth Jedis 9;
3-4. Tynemouth D, Forest Hall Owls 8;
5. South Shields C 7;
6. Alnwick B 6;
7. Leam Lane Comets 2.

Division 6:
1. Newcastle B 12;
2. Alnwick C 9;
3. Tynedale 7;
4-5. Gosforth Otterburns, South Shields D 6;
6. Newcastle University C 4.

This week’s puzzles:

Puzzle A: Jon Speelman (White) to play.

Puzzle B: Paul Bielby (Black) to play.

Puzzle C: Gautham Sathishkumar (White) to play.

Puzzle D: William Claridge-Hansen (Black) to play.

Answers:

A: 1 Nxd5! wins a crucial pawn, as if 1…cxd5 2 Bc7! wins the queen.
B: 1…Rf3! 2 gxf3 Qxg3+ 3 Kf1 Qxh3+ 4 Kg1 Rg3+ 5 Kf2 Rg2+ wins.
C: 1 Qh8+ Kg6 2 Qxh6+ Kf5 3 Qf6+ Ke4 4 Qf3 checkmate.
D: 1…Rxg2! 2 Nxf4 (if 2 Kxg2 Nh4+, or 2 Re4 Rc2! wins) Rg4! 3 Nh5 Nxf3 4 Nf6+ Kf8 0-1.