WORCESTER beat Malvern 4-2 in County Chess League Division One.

Malvern had white on the odd boards and, in a bishop's opening at the top, Myers went wrong by losing a piece.

At number two, Jim Keene played a good Benoni opening and blocked the position to give him a winning passed pawn.

Ian Clarke had some advantage but not sufficient to win and had to settle for half-a-point.

Ray Collett built up a solid Roy Lopez and Ginger conceded a win.

At number five, Tony Spittle managed a nice Dutch defence but could not win.

Gordon had the better of a French defence on the bottom board.

Worcester 4 Malvern 2 (Myers 0, Turner 1; Keene 1, Herbert 0; Mellor , Clarke ; Collett 1, Ginger 0; Spittle , Spencer ; Gordon 1, Shaw 0).

Halesowen, champions of Division One, overwhelmed St John's 4-1.

St John's had white on the odd boards and at the top in a Sicilian defence Stewart Fishburne first won a pawn then built on the advantage to secure a winning line.

Surprisingly, Mark Bethel lost his game after winning the exchange but Greg Dyett had much the better day and his opponent resigned.

Bob Grimes scored yet again and Mike Hadley created havoc by managing to get his queen on QR7.

On the bottom board, Wyle scored heavily in a queen's pawn opening.

Halesowen 4 St John's 1 (Fishburne 1, Kitson 0; Thomas , Harris ; Bethel 0, Dyett 1; Grimes 1, Foster 0; Hadley 1, Kirkland 0; Wyle 1, Loynes 0).