Maidenhead were one of our closest rivals last season and had just seen off our B team, so this was likely to be one of our trickiest matches. There was therefore relief, tinged with disappointment, when we found that GM Matthew Wadsworth was not listed to play for the home side.

This was, given the rating disparity between the two teams, a remarkable result – a 3.5-2.5 win achieved by a youthful team with rating deficits on the lower boards of around 300 points each. At Kingston we like to celebrate the triumphs of our all-conquering first team, but the successes by our other teams need to be marked too. The club is now making progress, if you will forgive the pun, right across the board.

A Kingston B side with several strong players missing expected to be substantially outrated at Hammersmith, yet ended the evening frustrated at falling just short and losing the match 4-2.

This was Rob Taylor’s first match as captain of a Kingston team – thanks to Rob for stepping up as we have added a team in the Thames Valley League this season – and it ended in an honourable draw at our neighbouring club’s friendly venue.

Kingston B have had a challenging start to their Thames Valley Division 1 campaign. Their first two matches took place at home, but against the might of Kingston A, and their third match required the team to make the arduous journey to Maidenhead. All those intrepid enough to set off into the wilds of Berkshire deserve plaudits, no matter the result.