Kevin Perrin faced the ever dangerous Jamie Brotheridge and a Queen’s Gambit Declined appeared on the board. A complex positional game was enlivened by White launching an attack, sacrificing 2 pieces in an effort to win. The investment proved too great and Black held on to win.

Chris Segrave met Rob Loveband who adopted the Scandinavian Defence, normally the province of Kevin Perrin. The game was a lively fight, but Black won material to be in a winning position when White lost on time.

Top seed Patrick Cook took on feisty Michael Schreenan in his usual Larsen’s Opening. White picked up a pawn early but left his sense of danger at home and Black suddenly won a piece with active play in the middle game. White eventually regained the piece but lost too many pawns along the way and was unable to hold the resulting rook ending. A great upset win for Black!

Zhang Hao versus John Abson was the old fashioned Bishop’s Opening (1.e4 e5 2. Bc4 …). White won a pawn early, but was unable to make the most of it in the face of Black’s experience.

Liu Yu had the bye.