There were several significant results in this round starting with the game between 2004 reserves runner-up Tim Commons and top seed Scott Stewart. Tim opened with 1. e4 and was confronted by the Pirc defence. Scott won a pawn in the early middle-game complications and seemed poised to win the exchange as well when he completely lost the plot, misplaying the position to find himself in an endgame of 2 rooks versus a rook and 2 pieces. A final blunder to lose a rook prompted Scott’s resignation and Tim having played cool calm chess had pulled off the biggest upset of the tournament to date.

Jamie Brotheridge played tournament front-runner Patrick Cook and a lively Nimzo-Indian defence became an interesting middle-game. After 17 moves Patrick noticed the upset on the next board between Tim and Scott and promptly offered a draw which Jamie declined after some thought. A second draw offer from Patrick on move 24 was also declined, and Jamie was later to rue the decision after being outplayed in the late middle-game and suffering catastrophic material loss. A big boost to Patrick’s championship hopes.

Mitchel Bailey versus Peter Miitel was a peculiar Benko Gambit. An even blow for blow struggle, the game seemed headed for a draw when Mitchel erred to lose the exchange and resigned in disgust.

Joel Beggs versus Michael Schreenan saw the 4 knights opening essayed again. Michael tried hard, as usual, but proved no match for Joel who scored an efficient win.

In the basement battle, Darren Young met John Abson. Despite the open nature of the bishop’s opening the game was a long positional struggle, with nothing exchanged for the first 14 moves. Darren however, seems to have a positive dislike for his rooks and once again carelessly dropped the exchange, allowing John to show some good nerves, and technique, to register his first points in the event.

Robert Bailey took on James Eldridge who adopted the Sicilian Scheveningen. A cut and thrust opening led to an uncompromising middle-game, typical of the Sicilian, until an oversight by James in a combination handed Rob a dominating position, which James soon conceded.

John Frangakis versus Kevin Perrin was postponed.