Level pegging at the moment but the adjournment on board 2 doesn’t look good. Nevertheless, an encouraging performance against strong opposition.

Paul Barasi and I have known each other for more than half a century. It’s a standing joke between us that, while Paul prefers losing to drawing, I prefer drawing to winning.

Having outplayed my much higher graded Norwegian opponent with Black, then, instead of trying to find a win I allowed a queen exchange and agreed a draw. I’ll show you the position in another post.

Meanwhile, on board 8, Paul was beating Ian but losing to the clock. Ian sportingly offered a draw, which Paul, even more sportingly, declined. Soon afterwards his flag well. Bertie’s opponent was also generous in offering a draw: Ian Heppell was two pawns up in a rook ending but thought Bertie had enough counterplay.

Congratulations to Max, who is showing impressive form on his return to chess following the completion of his university studies.

As you will know, Steve Berry sadly passed away before he was able to play off his adjournment against Julien. The game has now been agreed drawn, so we draw the match.