Swytzar Swytzer faced Rob Bailey in a Closed Sicilian. Black picked up a pawn in the early middle game and quickly ratcheted up the pressure. White couldn’t cope, dropped a Knight, was then forced to give up his Queen and was rapidly overwhelmed.

John Abson took on Jamie Brotheridge in a French Advance variation. Black won as expected, in 30 moves, despite a few scares along the way.

John Frangakis versus Kevin Perrin was a Slav of sorts, with g6 and Bg7. The game quickly transposed into something like a Tarrasch Defence. Black gained a solid protected passed pawn early and a protracted manoeuvring game ensued. White had some chances for active play on the Queen side but played too passively and was ground down in the endgame.

Michael Schreenan faced Patrick Cook and played his usual 1.e4.see game... Black offered an Alekhine Defence (1….Nf6), but the game settled down to a Pirc Defence after 2.Nc3..d6. Black found himself in a cramped position and decided to wait for a mistake rather than take a risk with active play. White found a nice combination and outplayed Black in the middle game to reach a winning position before inexplicably offering a draw which Black was happy to accept.