The big clash of this round had Charlie Andrews launch the Danish Gambit against Jing Jia, who happily pocketed the extra pawn. White did gain an edge in the opening, but neglected his further development and soon found himself in a losing position. In the endgame, however, Jing revealed some technical deficiencies and Charlie escaped with a draw.

The other ‘big game’ saw old rivals Peter Lumsdon and Patrick Cook meet: Patrick defended with his usual French Defence and Peter chose the provocative Alekhine-Chatard attack against the Classical variation. A difficult and tense game ensued with neither side being able to gain a decisive edge. Patrick’s “usual” draw offer was ignored, but peter could find nothing more than immediately repeating moves. John Lavery versus Clint Stewart saw John challenge Clint’s usual Dutch Defence with the Staunton Gambit (1.d4 f5 2.e4?!).

A very complicated struggled resulted with a great deal of time used on the opening. This proved crucial in the end as Clint became lost in the labyrinth of possibilities and lost on time with much still to play for. Probably the most interesting game of the round was Mitchel Bailey versus Judd Madden. A pretty standard Queens Gambit resulted in an even position until Judd livened things up by sacrificing a knight for 2 pawn on his 19th move. He quickly gained a 3rd pawn and the game continued in a new phase with unbalanced material.

The game looked to be heading for a draw until Mitchel cracked under pressure and blundered a rook. A good result from Judd’s daring play. Kevin Perrin versus Jamie Brotheridge was dour struggle in the English opening. While picked up a pawn early and held on to it for the rest of a lengthy game. The great drama in this game occurred at the time control with Kevin having the chance to win on the spot by grabbing a rook. Short of time and seeing dangers he preferred king safety first and declined his chance. The rook ending that followed proved to be only worth a draw.

John Frangakis versus Scott Stewart was anther Dutch Defence. Once again John obtained a solid, if un-ambitious position from the opening. Black, pushing for play in the complex middle game, sacrificed the exchange for an attack against the white king and wrapped up the full point with a pleasing mating attack in which both bishops played a role. Yet anther disappointment for the 2003 reserves champion.

Robert Bailey versus Gordon Lindberg was played earlier (see round 6 report).