Rob Bailey versus Clint Stewart was a Sicilian, Levenfish variation. White misplayed the opening and dropped 2 pawns. Black played accurately to hold them into the middlegame and won another in the process before finishing off a fine game in the endgame.

John Frangakis faced Tim Commons and a Grunfeld Defence, of sorts, was reached before a draw was agreed in 10 moves!

Kevin Perrin met Patrick Cook and played a cautious Reti Opening. Patrick's careful response gave neither player an edge and a draw was agreed after 15 moves.

Michael Schreenan played Rob Loveband in another Sicilian Defence. Black picked up 2 pawns early on, but Michael held his own from them on, frustrating Rob's efforts at a quick win. The deficit was too great, however, and Black did eventually win.

John Abson took on Jamie Brotheridge in the third Sicilian of the night. Black won a pawn in the opening and could have won a piece as well but decided to be ultra-cautious and declined the opportunity. John then launched a nifty attack and won a piece himself! Having reached a winning position, John could have sealed victory, and a major upset, by winning the exchange as well, but missed his chance and quickly self-destructed to hand Jamie a lucky win.

James Eldridge met top seed Scott Stewart in a Dutch Leningrad, predictably enough. Black picked up a pawn in the opening stage, but the middlegame favoured White who regained the material. A drawn position was reached, but White committed hara-kiri to hand Black the full point in the endgame.