Scott Stewart played Darren Young early in the evening and Darren played his usual Philidor. White won a pawn early and had a very nasty looking attack right out of the opening. Scott, quickly crashed through and delivered checkmate in just 11 moves!

John Abson took on Tim Commons and ventured something resembling the venerable Vienna Game. John quickly lost 2 pawns before dropping the exchange as well. Tim had little difficulty winning thereafter.

Patrick Cook played the dangerous Joel Beggs and ventured the Catalan. Joel handled it well and seemed to gain an edge from the opening. Patrick’s middlegame counterplay reversed this assessment. The game ended abruptly when Joel walked into a trap and realised he was losing a piece instead of winning a pawn.

3rd seed Kevin Perrin played his usual English Opening against newcomer Simon Feros. In a tough battle, Simon survived Kevin’s kingside pressure, before launching a counterattack that overwhelmed Kevin’s King in the first of the tournaments big upset results.

Rob Loveband met Jamie Brotheridge and he seemed to have a slight edge early in a hedgehog-like position. Jamie’s relentless pressure eventually paid off, however, and Rob was forced to resign when faced with the loss of his Queen.

Rob Bailey played James Eldridge in a Queens Indian/Trampovsky hybrid. Neither player was able to gain a decisive edge and a draw was duly agreed.

John Frangakis faced Michael Schreenan and rolled out his usual Trompovsky. White won a couple of pawns in a mass exchange of material and won the resulting simple endgame. Jason Brotheridge proved no match for 2 time champion Peter Miitel. Black gained a decisive material advantage early in a Sicilian and went on to record a comfortable win.