With 10 rounds played and only 3 to go, the tournament standings remain somewhat unclear. Top seed Scott Stewart has finished on 9/13. This is likely to be insufficient for a top 3 placing. 2nd seed Patrick Cook is well placed on 8/10 but needs to win his last 3 games to be certain of victory, since Kevin Perrin on 5½/7 could snatch his 8th title by winning all his remaining games. As fate has it, these 2 experienced players are due to meet in the last round.

So round 11 had some important encounters, starting with the game between 2004 reserves champion James Eldridge and 2nd seed Patrick Cook. James opened with 1. e4 and was confronted with the Alekhine defence. Once again, the peculiar line introduced to the club by John Lavery was played and as in his game versus Joel Beggs, Patrick simply ignored it in favor of development. Balck gradually took over the initiative in the middle game until the pressure gained him a pawn. James resigned after a neat combination by Patrick won a piece as well.

Robert Bailey versus Tim Commons was a Chigorin defence! Via the unusual move order 1. d4 Nc6 2. c4 d5 Tim rather misplayed the opening allowing Rob to rapidly gain the upperhand. Tim fought his way back into the game and in a dramatic reversal of fortunes snatched a rook and 2 pieces for his queen, and then showed splendid technique to marshal his forces to push home the victory. A great game by Tim.

Jamie Brotheridge versus Darren Young was a Sicilian. White won a pawn in the opening, and as usual with Darren;s games, the ensuing middle game proved to be tough manoeuvring battle until black collapsed, conceding queen for rook and with it the game.

John Abson met Joel Beggs in a Ruy Lopez. Neither player got much from the opening, but Joel eventually picked up 2 pawns in the middle game to seemingly have a stranglehold on the game. However, John has gained some confidence of late and went king hunting, forcing Joel to defend with some accuracy before he was able to cash in his material advantage.

John Frangakis versus Mitchel Bailey was postponed as was Kevin Perrin versus Michael Schreenan.

Peter Miitel versus Scott Stewart was played earlier (see round 10).

With Mitchel absent and Peter having played Scott, Peter Miitel and John Frangakis played their postponed round 5 game. Once again, Peter played his solid if unambitious, Colle system. He gained a pawn early, but was under pressure from John’s steady play. A few judicious exchanges eased matters and Peter had the win in sight when a dreadful oversight dropped a rook and he resigned on the spot.