Battersea are sitting pretty at the top of the London Chess League after dishing out a sound beating to our local rivals in the latest division 1 match.

Chris Beckett’s side thrashed Streatham & Brixton 6.5-2.5, with one game adjourned, to take top spot mid-way through the season – despite an unfortunate default on board 7.

It is the first time we have flown this high for many years, having languished in the lower divisions until promotion from division 2 three years ago.

Before this year the main aim was survival, but with 4 wins in 6 matches and only one loss we can safely say that has already been achieved.