Tournament leader Peter Miitel took on Chris Segrave in a Caro-Kann Defence. A lengthy positional struggle ensued with White struggling to make much of an impression. Black eventually opened up the game, enabling White to pounce and grind out a win courtesy of superior technique.

Rob Loveband  faced Patrick Cook in a reprise of their championship play-off from last year. A French Defence, exchange variation, both players stayed alert to the tactical possibilities and the game remained in a state of dynamic equilibrium into the early endgame and a draw was agreed.

Jamie Brotheridge met Michael Schreenan in a Tarrasch Defence to the Queen’s Gambit. Black dropped a pawn early, then a piece and was mown down in typically aggressive fashion.

Joel Beggs tackled vastly experienced Kevin Perrin in an Open Sicilian. A tense, theoretical opening battle gave White some pressure, which he relentlessly increased, eventually breaking through to score a convincing, mature victory.

John Abson versus Bill Coutts was postponed. Boris Skontra had the bye.

After his quick victory, Jamie Brotheridge  lined up against John Abson in their round 10 game. A Slav Defence, it was short, sharp and brutal in which White scored another ruthless win in just 16 moves.