A short "Grandmaster draw", to
maintain their mutual leadership positions and remain rested for the final
phase, but the game was without any
Grandmasterly brilliance. This game was played before the others to allow
Matthews to deal with work related distractions. Jomo unveiled a Sveshnikov Sicilian to secure the tame
draw.
SMITH - ROWE, ½-½.
Smith taught Rowe another invariably
unheeded lesson about his main weakness. Overconfidence. After achieving a won
position Rowe could not decide which way to win the game and opted to draw
instead. A tough struggle by the two Kingston College alumni which ended in a
welcome sporting display of smiles and handshakes all around. "Fortis" ( the
school motto ) said Rowe but it was really Mark Smith who showed that " The
Brave will Fall but Never Yield " as his bishop proved equal to the advanced
pawns.
LORNE - ELLIOTT, 0-1.
Warren Elliott was pushed to bring out a higher "FM" gear than the impressive youngster Malaku Lorne could manage. Lorne secured an opening advantage but lacked the experience and composure to finish, against an Elliott who showed that he has what it takes when the pressure is on. The position had a Benoni pawn structure. Elliott sacked the exchange at one point to earn a complicated win. Elliott is now 3rd place with 4 points and if he finds his "FM" gear earlier in the future could still claim his third title in three years.
WHEELER - R. PALMER, ½-½.
The closest shave occurred in this
game as Ryan sported his " new look " haircut and also a new chess style.
Wheeler surprisingly had to take the early offensive against a very patient
Palmer. Ryan Palmer saw deeper than the wily veteran though and gained the
advantage of a pawn. Ryan could find nothing better than a perpetual check in
the end however as Wheeler threatened counter-attacking shots if he got more
greedy.
GIBBS - BROWN, 1-0.
Gibbs eventually went for a Ruy Lopez Exchange variation type of position but delayed the Bishop for knight exchange, which had Equitable flustered. Equitable regained his equaminity though and seemed ready to make the two bishops pay off. Gibbs calmly defended the brief fireworks and then put on his "FM" strength at the finish.
BYFIELD - HOLNESS, 0-1.
In this battle of contrasting
styles, strategical NM Mark Holness, outwitted tactical NM Geoffrey Byfield,
with a very interesting f5 advance against the 1.b3 opening.
Byfield could not find a way to punish what he thought were weaknesses and hence
they transformed into strengths. Simple endgame technique clinched the vital
point which could likewise transform into a plane ticket to
Slovenia.
A. PALMER - MYERS, 0-1.
Adrian was forced into a defensive
posture by a very determined and dour faced Myers. Like a skilled coffin maker
Myers made no mistake putting in the hammering shots carefully. Adrian Palmer's
post game depression was only alleviated when he heard that Byfield was his
opponent in the next round. Myers is in
form.
MARSHALL - SCOTT, 1-0.
Scott misunderstood the Smith-Morra
Gambit's potency and decided he didn't need to develop his queenside pieces
after grabbing some pawns. Marshall's attack gained dangerous momentum as
Bertram's ticking clock sealed his fate.
DOUGLAS - CHIN 0-1.
Eton Chin showed his entertaining
artistry by achieving two rooks on the seventh and a problem like finish against
Markland Douglas. Douglas toppled his opponent's king but then shook hands to
resign the game. Douglas had not opted to force a draw earlier with Bxg6 and
decided to forego rating points in exchange for
experience.