With the battle for the title essentially a two-horse race between the top two seeds, there was much at stake in their remaining games.

Scott Stewart met Rob Bailey with a Kings Indian Attack. A tough positional struggle ensued, with White gradually gaining the initiative. Black held on and then gained a material advantage of 2 pieces for a rook in a late tactical exchange, but tragically lost on time before he could make it count.

Patrick Cook, meanwhile, faced dark horse Rob Loveband, and relied on his trusty Larsen for only the 2nd time in the tournament so far. Rob made just one positional error, allowing White to obtain a decisive grip on the game. Patrick made no mistake in converting to a win.

Kevin Perrin played John Frangakis. An uneventful draw resulted from a Queens Gambit.

Peter Miitel met James Eldridge and found himself confronted with the Dutch Defence. He launched the Staunton Gambit (1. d4 f5 2. e4?!) in response and a lively game developed. Peter later sacrificed a bishop for vague attacking chances, but settled for a perpectual check when he could find nothing more.

John Abson played the feisty Michael Schreenan. A wild tactical melee developed from a 4 Knights Opening. John seized control with a simple Knight fork that netted a piece and pawn, and Michael resigned later when he lost his Queen as well.

Tim Commons played his round 13 game against Darren Young. A Ruy Lopez, White quickly obtained a dominating position and crashed through with a classic Bishop sacrifice on h6 to checkmate Darren’s King.

Simon Feros versus Joel Beggs was postponed.

Earlier in the week, John Frangakis met Scott Stewart in their round 12 game. A Dutch Defence, John defied expectations by gaining a winning position with inventive play, but was robbed of the full point when Scott found a perpectual check. The top seed has now finished all his games and posted the formidable final score of 11½ from 13. Only 2nd seed Patrick Cook with 8 out of 9 so, can surpass his score. All eyes will be on Patrick’s last 4 games. Can he continue in the quest for a Ballarat Chess Club Grand Slam (winning all club events in a calendar year) ?