YORK'S Tony Slinger came joint second in the major section of last weekend's Doncaster Congress with four points from five games.

Slinger was unbeaten with three wins and two draws in rounds' three and four.

A total of 12 players with York connections attended the Congress but, with the exception of Slinger, none seriously threatened to win a prize.

Other results - Major: Eric Winn (3 points), Tim Turner (2), Dave Cawston (2), Nigel Holroyd (2), Dave Smith (2) and Herbert Lockwood (2).

Intermediate: Norman Andrews (3), Neville Pearce (2), Sri Sriharan (1).

Minor: Lee Wilson (3), Steve Webster (2).

In the York Evening League, York RI Cavaliers 'A' edged closer to the first division title with a hard fought draw at Shepherds. Paul Hopwood won quickly

for Cavaliers but Shepherds replied with wins from Eric Key, Kan Filtz and Herbert Lockwood.

However, Richard Hardy and Steve Huxley won the last two games to ensure Cavaliers drew the match.

Lady Anne Middelton 1 struggled to overcome a spirited Kings side but eventually ran out four points to two winners with victories from Jon Griffith, Tim Turner and Colin Snowball and draws from Tony Slinger against John Bennett and Neville Pearce against John Lafferty. Rachel Mothersill won for Kings.

Lady Anne Middleton 2 maintained their leadership of division two by defeating Conquerors 4-1 with wins from John Knowles, Lee Wilson, Sam Watson and Steve Cooper and a draw between Neville Pearce and Owen Robson. Richard Hardy won for Conquerors.

Nowhere Men defeated Danger Squares by 5-1 in a match that was closer than the scoreline suggests.

Nowhere Men took a 3-1 lead courtesy of Neil Atkin, Roger Hall and Andy McNicholl (by default) with Bob Oates replying for Danger Squares. However in the last two games Danger Squares' players where both winning but somehow lost. Laurence Cornhill was a rook down before winning and Keith Ellerby a minor piece down, also before winning for

Nowhere Men.

The York chess scene has lost a valued member with the death of Bob Oates, who has passed away peacefully in his sleep.

He had been an active member of the York Chess Club for many years and was noted for his exemplary conduct, modesty in victory and honour in defeat.

His commitment, enthusiasm and reliability were of the first order and he will be sorely missed by team-mates and opponents alike.

The game below is from the Shepherds v Cavaliers match.

P Hopwood v B Marshall

d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 e6 3. e4 h6 4. Bxf6 Qxf6 5. c3 b6 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. Ne2 g6 8. 0-0 Bg7 9. f4 Qe7 10.f5 exf5 11. exf5 g5 12. Ng3 0-0 13. f6 Bxf6 14. Nf5 Qe6 15. Nxh6+ Kg7 16. Nf5+ Kg8 17. Qh5 Be4 18. Bxe4 Qxe4 19. Nd2 Qc6 20. Nf3 Bd8 21. Ne5 Qe6 22. Nh6+ Kg7 23. Rxf7+ Rxf7 24. Nhxf7 1-0

Updated: 12:30 Thursday, March 07, 2002