The summer chess season is underway, and Anstey Chess Club has begun its campaign in both the Wylie and Harrod Cups with spirited performances against strong opposition.

Wylie Cup: Honour Shared with Loughborough

Anstey’s Wylie Cup team faced a tough opening fixture against Loughborough, featuring a well-balanced match that ultimately ended in a 4–4 draw. The Anstey line-up of Alan, Julian, Ted, and Rob delivered a display full of character and resilience.

On top board, Alan encountered the formidable young Leicestershire talent Kajus Mikalajunas. Despite a determined effort, Alan was unable to halt Kajus’ momentum, the Loughborough player securing a deserved point in both games. Julian’s duel with Stephen Morris proved to be a fascinating “cat-and-mouse” battle, with both players tactically alert and positionally sharp—two hard-fought draws were the fair outcome.

Ted, continuing his excellent upward trajectory, delivered a commanding performance against Glyn Ward, giving his opponent no opportunities to recover and securing a full point with both colours. Meanwhile, Rob’s double-header against Kajus’ father, Mindas, ended with honours even—both players taking one game apiece in a well-contested bout.

The final scoreline of 4–4 reflected the closely matched nature of the fixture and leaves Anstey well-placed for the next round.

Harrod Cup: Narrow Defeat Against Market Harborough 1

In the Harrod Cup, Anstey took on a strong Market Harborough 1 side, with the final score narrowly tipping in the latter’s favour at 4.5–3.5. Despite the defeat, the match marked a historic moment for the club as the Mehta sisters—Sophie and Zara—featured together for the first time in the same team.

Sophie, on board 1, faced the experienced David Curran. In a pair of games that showcased strategic clarity and defensive precision, both players prevailed with the black pieces, ultimately splitting a point each. Mike, on board 2, met the ever-rapid Graham Heilbuth and mirrored Sophie’s result, each player capitalising when playing white.

On board 3, Zara was unfortunate against Dan Talbot, who managed to secure the win in both games. On the bottom board, Jakub produced a fine win with the white pieces against Rene Butler, but had to settle for a draw when playing black.

Despite the narrow 3.5–4.5 loss, the team showed excellent depth and promise, with strong individual performances and a commendable debut for the Mehta duo within the same line-up.

As the summer cups continue, both Rapid-format Anstey sides will look to build on these performances, carrying momentum and optimism into the coming rounds.

If you want to feel the thrill of rapid chess, or just want to watch the action as it happens (in-between few friendlies), pop down to the Anstey Methodist Church every Thursday from 7.30pm.