The British is in North Shields 10

Stuart Conquest, courtesy of John Upham

There was hardly a draw in sight at the British Championships in North Shields and, with one round to go, a clear leader has emerged in Stephen Gordon. Former Champion, Stuart Conquest, did well to draw from a worse opening against an always professional Jones whilst Turner, having lost last round, went down again, this time against the always polished Howell. Houska started-off efficiently enough but failed to find a decent plan. Was there one? And Arkell played without an opponent leaving Holland standing.

S Gordon (7.5) 1-0 D Gormally (6.5), King’s Indian 7…h5?!
G Jones (7.5) draw S Conquest (6), Tarrasch French 3…c5
M Turner (6) 0-1 D Howell (6.5), KID, Samisch/Panno
J Hawkins (6) 1-0 J Houska (6), KIA v New York System
K Arkell (6) 1-0 J Holland (6), QGD, Tarrasch
C Hanley (5.5) 1-0 P Townsend (5.5), Tarrasch French 3…c5
J-C Weller (5.5) 0-1 D Ledger (5.5), KID, Petrosyan
M Osborne (5.5) 1-0 W Foo (5.5), QGD, Slav.

KC Arkell-JP Holland
North Shields, 2012
QGD Tarrasch Defence D32

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 Nc3 Nc6 6 dxc5 d4 7 Na4 Bxc5 8 Nxc5 Qa5+ 9 Bd2 Qxc5 10 Rc1 Qb6 11 e3 dxe3 12 Bxe3 Qa5+ 13 Bd2 Qb6 14 Bc3 Nf6 15 Bxf6 gxf6 16 Bc4 0–0 17 0–0 Bf5 18 Qd2 Bg6 19 Qh6 Ne5 20 Nh4 Rac8 21 Nxg6 hxg6 22 Rc3 Rxc4 23 Rh3 Qxf2+ 24 Rxf2 1–0

http://britishchesschampionships.co.uk/

With the last round tomorrow afternoon we can confidently say we will have a new British Champion. Last year’s winners, Adams and Short, are absent this year.
S Gordon 8.5/10; G Jones 8; D Howell 7.5; K Arkell & J Hawkins both 7; D Gormally … 64 players.