Chess Ninja’s 6th Round Report
 
 
PITTERSON - MATTHEWS, ½-½. 

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.



Report submitted by Mark Bowen of Chess Ninja's Dojo.