Joel Beggs, playing his final game met Rob Bailey and was confronted by the Sicilian Najdorf variation. A typically cut and thrust game ensued until black seized control of the game and won 2 pawns in the late middle game. After trading down to a rook ending, still 2 pawns to the good, Rob had no difficulty in winning a fine game.

Michael Schreenan played John Abson and a Ruy Lopez resulted in a real fight. White grabbed a pawn early at the cost of a damaged pawn structure. Once again John focused on a direct attack on white’s castled king and in the middle game complications John bravely sacrificed a piece to set up a mating attack. Sadly, his courage was to no avail as he misplayed the follow up and Michael survived to convert his material advantage for his 2nd win in the tournament.

Jamie Brotheridge played John Frangakis, after 1. e4, John opted for the Caro-Kann defence. He won a pawn early and tense manoeuvring followed which was ended abruptly when John blundered a piece and resigned.

Patrick Cook played 2 tiem champion Peter Miitel and again wheeled out his favorite opening, Larsen opening (1. b3). The game was short and sharp after Peter adopted an unusual response, he resigned after 13 moves when Patrick launched a spectacular combination that appeared to win the exchange, but ultimately led to equality. An important win for Patrick who now needs only to beat Kevin Perrin to win the championship.

Tim Commons versus Darren Young was postponed, so the round 9 game Kevin Perrin versus Tim Commons was played instead. A scotch opening, Tim quickly lost material and was in a “hopeless” position still in the opening, but his optimism and perseverance got him back into the game with some play. The material deficit was too great however and Kevin kept his head to win and maintain his title chances.

Also played was the round 13 encounter James Eldridge versus Peter Miitel. A Pirc defence, the game was an interesting battle along sharp, tactical lines that ended in a draw, after neither player could gain a decisive edge.

Mitchel Bailey versus James Eldridge was also postponed.