Olton v Sutton Coldfield
Alan Lloyd had a tough game on board 1 and drew. Mark Cundy on two and Mike Hollier on board 3 both had good wins. Richard Reynolds on bottom board started badly, but eventually got out of the opening unscathed. With the major pieces swapping off, the opponent's backward e pawn was pivotal and had to be held. A slight advantage going into the end did not seem enough and the game was drawn. Tayeb Kazemi on board 5 played slowly and carefully to score a win and Richard liszewski lost on time on board 4.
Olton v South Birmingham
Alan Lloyd lost on top board and Mark Cundy also lost on two. Mikr Hollier drew on board 3, but Richard Liszewski lost on four. Richard Reynolds also drew on board 5 and Tayeb Kazemi won on six.
Tamworth v Olton
Alan Lloyd lost on top board and there were losses on boards 2 and 3 for Mark Cundy and Mike Hollier. Richard liszewski on four lost material early on, but came back with a good winning attack. Richard Reynolds on board 5 should have drawn, but time ran short and mistakes were made. Roger threlfall on board 6 should have done better, but also lost.
Halesowen v Olton
Robert Reynolds drew early on bottom board. Mike Hollier lost on three and Richard Reynolds drew on board 5. Mark Cundy also drew on board 2. Alan Lloyd tried to gain an advantage in a Rook, Bishop and pawns ending but drew on board 1. Richard Liszewski also drew on four after a protracted ensing.
Olton v Shirley & Wythall
Alan Lloyd won well on board 1 and Mark Cundy also won on two. Mike Hollier drew on board, but Richard Liszewski lost on four. Richard Reynolds drew on board 5 and Roger Threlfall drew on six.
Longbridge v Olton
Alan Lloyd struggled to make headway on top board and went on to lose. Mark Cundy and Mike Hollier also lost on boards 2 and 3. Richard Reynolds got through a difficult opening to draw in a slightly better position and Robert Reynolds drew on six, after missing chances. Richard Liszewski clung on on board 4 for some time, but eventually lost.
South Birmingham A v Olton
Robert Reynolds won comfortsbly on board 6, but Mark Cundy lost early on board 2. Richard Reynolds on five started out in a difficult position, but simplified and agreed a draw. MIke Hollier on board 3 was winning, but blundered a Rook and lost. Richard Liszewski on board 4 looked to be drawing in an opposite Bishop and Pawns ending. However, the remoteness of the opposing King and an advanced passed pawn on the opposite wing allowed an unlikely win. Alan Lloyd on top board was a pawn up in a Rook and pawns ending, but his king got tied up by the opponent's rook and the game was drawn.
Olton v Solihull
Andy Cottom had a good win early on on board 6. Tayeb Kazemi also won on 5, after going into a King and Pawns ending with a strong central pawn. Richard Reynolds on board 4 faced a Queen's side attack and struggled to unravel the situation. but later, his Rooks took over the Queen file. A Queen's side pawn advantage in a Bishop & Pawns ending might have won, but the wrong colour on the queening square resulted in a draw. Alan Lloyd struggled on board 1 and lost, as did Mike Hollier on two. Richard Liszewski on board 3 had another entertaining game. Whilst his Rook attacked on the KR file, his Queen forayed on the Queens side in enemy territory. The opponent's attack was in the centre, both sides shuttled back and forth attacking and defending. Richard eventually won by co-ordinating Rook, Knight and Queen.
Stourbridge v Olton
Andy Cottom drew early on board 5, while Mike Hollier had a good draw on board 2. Richard Liszewski had a King's side attack on board 3, won aBishop for 3 pawns and then slowly mopped up the pawns to win. Richard Reynolds on board 4 held the c file with Rooks, but could not use it. There were makings of an attack on the King's side, but important pieces were exchanged and the game was drawn. Alan Lloyd on top board went a pawn up, but struggled with the position and lost. Roger Threlfall on bottom board struggled with Queen & Knight v Queen and Bishop. Mopping up an odd pawn left both sides with a majority on either side, both Roger's King was vulnerable and the game was lost.
Olton v Warley Quinborne
Warley defaulted bottom board. Andy Cottom on board 5 went a Rook down in an attempt to force mate, but was only able to draw by repetition. Richard Reynolds on four had to defend early on on the King's side. The action switched to the other flank where rooks were swapped and the pawn structure looked fragile. The game ended in a draw with neither side making progress. Richard Liszewskl on board 3 had control of the centre and a queen's side majority. A combination resulted in a win of material and the game. Alan Lloyd on top board struggled for much of the game and eventully lost. Mike Hollier went into an ending on board 2 with Rook and Knight v Rook and Bishop. The position was difficult and eventually lost.
Walsall Kipping v Olton
Rory Lynas stepping in on board 6 had a good win, winning a piece and then trapping the King in the middle of the board. Richard liszewski on board 4 lost a piece to a Queen fork and the game was quickly lost. Richard Reynolds came under strong King's side pressure from Bishops and Queen, but limited the effect with a powerfull Knight. With pawns advancing, counterplay was sought and the pawns eventually blocked access for major pieces. Another Knight obstructed the attack further and threats of a Queen's side opening resulted in a draw. Mark Cundy had a good win on board 2, but Alan Lloyd lost on one. Mike Hollier was 3 pawns down on board 3, but pulled back to level. Being careful not to exchange Queens into a lost ending, there was perpetual check to force a draw and tie the match.
The team have finished with 9 points.
| DATE | HOME | RESULT | AWAY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09/09/2025 | Olton | 4-2 | Sutton Coldfield |
| 21/10/2025 | Olton | 2-4 | South Biringham B |
| 30/10/2025 | Tamworth | 5-1 | Olton |
| 08/12/2025 | Halesowen | 3½-2½ | Olton |
| 16/12/2025 | Olton | 3½-2½ | Shirley |
| 15/01/2026 | Longbridge | 5-1 | Olton |
| 29/01/2026 | South Birmingham A | 3-3 | Olton |
| 10/02/2026 | Olton | 3½-2½ | Solihull |
| 17/02/2026 | Stourbridge | 3½-2½ | Olron |
| 03/03/2026 | Olton | 3-3 | Warley Quinborne |
| 19/03/2026 | Walsall Kipping | 3-3 | Olton |
Terril Round 1
Thursday 2nd October - Warley Quinborne II 5½-½ Olton
Mark Cundy lost on board 1 to a strong player. Mike Hollier did well to draw on board 2. Richard Liszewski was playing well on board 3 and should have drawn at least, time pressure being the deciding factor. Richard Reynolds was holding the game in a fine balance on four, but made a couple of errors to let the opponent's Queen in. Warren Archibald lost on board 5 and Rory Lynas also lost on Six.
Homer Trophy Round 1
Thursday 20th November - Shirley & Wythall III 2-5 Olton
Rory Lynas won swiftly on board 6. Richard Reynolds gained an early advantage on board 5, winning a piece and the attack which followed forced all the pieces off for a won ending. Alan Lloyd on top board went into a queen and pawns ending with additional pawns. After avoiding all chances of a perpetual, he was able to exchange Queens and win the ending. Mark Cundy on two took a while to win, although the result was not in doubt. Mike Hollier created acongested centre on three and then opened up the Queen's side to break through and win. Richard Liszewski on board 4 held the tension in the centre, but then switched to a King's side attack. There was not enough material to press home and the game was drawn.
Round 2
Tuesday 20th January, Olton 3A 5½-3 Olton 2
Alan Lloyd on board 1 for Olton II won after a good battle with Tayeb Kazemi. Mark Cundy also won on two against Robert Reynolds. Mike Hollier won an exchange on three, but took a while to unravel Roger Threlfall's position. Richard reynolds on board 5 got into a mess against Warren Archibald, losing an exchange and facing a King's side attack. With the remaining pieces in terrible positions, a few risky choices to get them out and indecision by Warren allowed a perpetual check. Garry Evans on six took advantage of mistakes by Jim Gillespie to win very quickly.Richard Liszewski on board 4 had a draw or better against Tom Evans. With the match result not in doubt and time short, what ensued was a chaotic ending where both players appeared to try and lose. Having lost a piece to a promotion, Richard had 4 connected pawns against a Bishop and one. by promoting the lead pawn, the King got in and Richard won.
Homer Final
Wednesday 25th February, Olton 2 4-3½ Sutton Coldfield 3
The match was held at Ward End Social club. Sutton Coldfield won the toss and played white on top board. Andy Cottom on bottom board playing an old sparring partner reached an impasse and agreed a draw. Robert Reynolds on five also drew after a repetition sequence, leaving the score at 1-2½ witth the handicap to Sutton. The remaining games continued for some time until the time scramble.
Richard Reynolds on board 3, having repelled a Marshall attack in the Ruy Lopez, began an attack with a Knight in the centre. Forcing a pawn to the seventh, both sides were able to move freely, but the opponent was not able to prevent promotion and a win. Alan Lloyd on board 1 continued patiently and eventually won. Mike Hollier on board 2 also won, after keeping up the pressure. Richard Liszewski on three repelled early pressure and seemed to be doing well, but lost in the time scramble.