Ballarat Chess Club Championship 2010 Round Eight Prologue Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Round 7 Round 8 Round 9 Round 10 Round 11 Epilogue Crosstable

Peter Miitel took on Rod Jacobs in Black's favourite Leningrad Dutch. White was slow to develop, conceded space, but had a solid position. Black found himself about to lose a pawn when White offered a draw. Black thought about for quite some time before accepting. James Eldridge versus Patrick Cook was played a few weeks ago. An Alekhine Defence, Black won a pawn in the early middlegame with a clever tactical sequence and set about consolidating. Black then won more material and gained a decisive advantage after fending off a perpetual check attempt. Jamie Brotheridge surprised everyone by playing Larsen's Opening against Kevin Perrin. White gained space and control of the centre before pushing too hard on the Queen-side and dropping a pawn. Despite his edge, Black lost control of the game and White pounced to score the full point. The big game was the showdown between last years joint winners Joel Beggs and Rob Loveband. Joel was allowed to play another Italian Game and quickly won a pawn in the opening. He then launched an attack with a piece sacrifice, and won another pawn, before finishing Black off with a brilliant mating attack. Only Patrick Cook can now catch the rampaging tournament leader by winning his last two games. Chris Segrave had the bye.