MALVERN Chess Club made a winning start in its bid to become the first team to retain the Worcester and District League knock-out cup.

Last year's other finalists, Droitwich, were the opponents, a team which had since beaten Malvern in the league for the third consecutive year.

The results were as follows, Malvern players first :

Malvern had black on the odd boards: 1 B Turner 0.5-0.5 P Kitson; 2 I Clarke 0-1 D Adshead; 3 G Herbert 1-0 A Kirkland; 4 M Ginger 1-0 W Watson.

Malvern made a good start on board four. Maurice Ginger played his favourite Blackmar-Diemer Gambit. He caught Bill Watson in an unfamiliar variation and secured the advantage by move five. He pressed home his attack in excellent style and recorded a crushing victory.

Brian Turner maintained the advantage on board one against former county top board Peter Kitson, his defence play helping secure the draw.

On board two, Dave Adshead played dynamically with black against Ian Clarke's queen's pawn opening and quickly gained the initiative. Ian held on until the time control despite losing a pawn. The extra pawn proved decisive in the knight and pawn ending, allowing Dave to level the scores.

The game on board three went the full distance with Geoffrey Herbert playing the Sicilian Dragon against Arnold Kirkland's king's pawn opening. A game of swinging fortunes - looking grim for Malvern at one point - Geoffrey eventually managed set up a mating net with his queen and knight in the time scramble to win the game and the match.