Michael Schreenan took on Rob Bailey who surprised a few members by playing the French Defence (1.e4  e6 2. d4  d5). White opted for the Advance variation (3.e5..), but Black quickly won a pawn and gained control of the centre. White managed to obtain some play in the middle game until he overlooked a lethal pin and lost his Queen.

John Abson met unrated newcomer Chris Segrave who defended with the Sicilian. White gained a space advantage from the opening and in his typical enterprising style sacrificed a pawn for the initiative. Black played passively, but solidly, and gradually dissipated Whites attacking chances to reach an endgame with good winning prospects. White saved him the trouble of demonstrating his technique by losing on time!

The heavyweight showdown of the round was the clash between the no.2 and 3 seeds, Patrick Cook versus Jamie Brotheridge. see game...

Black opted for the Modern Benoni against White’s 1.d4, turning it into a sort of delayed Benko Gambit with his 10^th move. He followed up too hastily, though, and White soon had a firm grip on the position which he never really let go of. A blunder late in the middle game handed White a decisive material advantage and the 2^nd. Seed had no trouble scoring the full point.

Rob Loveband versus Scott Stewart and John Frangakis versus Swytzar Swytzer were postponed. Kevin Perrin had the bye.