Two games, Kevin Perrin versus James Eldridge and John Abson versus Peter Miitel were postponed, so only 5 of the scheduled 7 games were played.

Darren Young versus Scott Stewart was an interesting battle. Scott made a bold pawn sacrifice in the opening to gain piece activity, but Darren appeared to have the better prospects early on. However from the ensuing complex middlegame, Scott’s knights and queen overwhelmed Darrens king position and Scott garnered the full point with a final mating attack.

Robert Bailey versus Patrick Cook saw a Queens Indian defence from which Patrick emerged with a somewhat mere flexible position. Black won a pawn in the early middlegame and after ignoring Rob’s hopeful draw offer won the game with careful precise endgame play.

John Frangakis versus Michael Schreenan was a surprisingly tough struggle. John eventually won a pawn but Michael did exceptionally well to steer the game to a bishops of opposite colour ending. John’s cautious but dogged style gained another pawn and Michael resigned when about to lose a 3rd pawn, judging his position to be hopeless.

Two of the club’s young Turks, Mitchel Bailey and Joel Beggs met in the battle of the round; and a battle it was! In a queens gambit tarrasch neither player could gain a decisive edge and a draw was the inevitable result.

Jamie Brotheridge versus Tim Commons was a massacre, a queens gambit declined, white was 3 pieces to the good after just 14 moves. Tim resigned shortly after and understandably left the club without comment.