The published pairings had to be changed in the absence of several players and a last round withdrawal.Joel Beggs, needing the full point to tie for first, took on the leader Peter Miitel in a Sicilian. The game was a fight, with Joel turning down several draw offers before deciding that he could make no progress and conceding the half point.
Geoff Davis was confronted by the Scandinavian from Rod Jacobs. Geoff sacrificed a Bishop for an attack deep in the middle game, but Rod held firm and went on to win nicely.Rob Loveband was surprised by Jamie Brotheridge’s Dutch Defence and was unable to avoid an early draw by three-fold repition.
Patrick Cook wheeled out his Larsen against Tom Oppenheim and quietly picked up the full point after winning a pawn in the opening.Michael Schreenan faced junior Ryan Logan. After 1.e4 e5 the game rapidly shifted in surreal territory with the Black King being chased right across the board to oblivion.
Yu Liu versus Jackson Tardrew was a Queen’s Indian that remained drawish until Yu picked up a piece and went on to win efficiently.No One tried his favourite Elephant Attack (1.e4 e5 2.d4?!) against John Abson but soon found himself 2 pieces down and did not survive long.