Michael Schreenan faced top seed Jamie Brotheridge in an open Sicilian. White kept it equal with sensible exchanges and made it to an even rook and pawns endgame, but lack of technical experience cost him the game.

Chris Segrave, the club Reserves champion, took on Patrick Cook, the club champion, with an English Opening. White managed to put up continuous stiff resistance, frustrating Black’s efforts to gain an advantage. Black declined a draw offer, but was still unable to find a winning edge, and sensing danger offered a draw himself, which was accepted.

Tim Commons met the tournament leader Sharjeel Ansari and played the Ruy Lopez, exchange variation. Black quickly obtained a dangerous attack against his opponent’s King, but White defended well and reached a double-edged middle game, before going on the attack himself and forcing Black to give up the exchange. The endgame was a clear win for White, but Black’s agile Knight took advantage of White’s lack of endgame technique and liquidated White’s last pawns to reach a draw.

Rob Bailey versus Swytzar Swytzer was a win on forfeit for White.

The last remaining game, Michael Schreenan versus Rob Bailey, from round 3, was also played. Another Sicilian via the French, Black’s experience proved enough for the win.

So, club newcomer Sharjeel Ansari wins the 2008 John Holmes Memorial.