BASINGSTOKE Chess Club won their first Berkshire League Division One match of the season as they beat midtable Maidenhead 4.5-1.5.

The Sherborne Road club were gifted a point due to a no show from the visitors’ bottom board player.

However, on the other five boards, all of the home players had lower gradings than their Maidenhead counterparts.

On the top board, Paul Hackman produced an excellent win, beating a player with a grading close to master level.

A further win by Bernard Cooke, plus a draw for Ivan Stipcevic, pushed Basingstoke over the winning line.

James Chilton added another win after a remarkable defensive effort.

Basingstoke Chess Club meets every Wednesday at the Bridge and Chess Club in Sherborne Road, on the corner of Richmond Road, between 7pm and 10pm.