FOLLOWING the retirement of Brian Sharp, John Wrench has assumed the mantle of Wyre Forest's top chess payer, but he was beaten into second place in Kidderminster Chess Club's annual quick-play tournament by number four seed Frank Pickett won.

Pickett, who is the current holder of the Shuttle Shield, held his concentration over the three-hour competition to score nine points from a possible 11.

Dave Close and Jim Friar finished equal third.

Full scores: Pickett 9, Wrench 8.5, Close and Friar 7.5, John Varilone and Maurice Bissell 7, Mark Riley 6, Clive Billings and Paul Thomas 4, Terry Pountney 2.5, Bill Pugh 2, Tim Yates 1.