The all important Round 4 of the Gladstone. In a five round Swiss system with around 10 or so players it is often the fourth round that sees the pairings of the big beasts. And so it was here, with Doctor Kirby and Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) squaring off.
But the round had plenty of interest across all the boards. One was quick. One was skillful. And one was lucky.
The quick
Mister Widdicombe had white and faced Mister Sharland. A suspect second move from Mister Sharland allowed Mister Widdicombe to steamroller his opponent in record time. Our research department inform us that this is the shortest Gladstone game on record.
The good
Mister Ioannou is notorious amongst the Liberals for his lightning quick play. Yet this was Mister Rosenbaum’s first match against him and it was uncertain quite how he would fare. Sure enough, by the middle game Mister Rosenbaum had seven minutes to Mister Ioannou’s 56, and was a couple of pawns down too. Thing were looking grim. But then Mister Rosenbaum started playing some real chess. He swapped off a knight for a bishop, leaving an opposite coloured bishop endgame, with one pawn to three. Swapping off that further pawn he managed to block one of the enemy pawns with his king, the other with the bishop and set up a fortress that Mister Ioannou, try as he might, could not break down. Superb endgame technique, and under time pressure. Impressive.
Mister Rosenbaum struggled with Mister Ioannou’s speedy play
The lucky
Fresh from a lucky win against Doctor Saldanha in Rd 3 (or, more precisely, a lucky decline of a draw offer by Doctor Saldanha), Doctor Kirby continue to ride his luck. Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) had another opening innovation up his sleeve, playing, on move two, the seventeenth most popular move said Mister C. Base in the bar after the game. Doctor Kirby had no reply other than to plough on in his standard Caro fashion. But later in the middle game, after the threatening 16.Ng5 and 22.Nxf8, Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) had Doctor Kirby reeling, and the Doctor was heard muttering loudly, and somewhat dejectedly, as he saw his chances slipping. At the very least King’s Counsel could arrive at an even endgame and likely a draw, giving him good chances in the final round to be champ. But good chess players never give up, and Doctor Kirby ploughed on, only to see Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxon) fail to spot a weakened back rank and rather than play it safe and make a luft, carried on going for the throat. Doctor Kirby, spotting his chance, killed the White king. Another let off for Doctor Kirby, who in the last two rounds has taken 1.5 points that should perhaps have not been his. But chess is a cut throat game, and he refused to be beaten. Well done.
The other games
Messers Jacob and Barnett reschedued their game a few nights later, with Mister Jacobs winning through in a close game. Mister Barnett’s chess is improving very quickly indeed. Do not underestimate him.
Messers Dias and Jackson were unable to find the time to play and so, under the special regulations connected to the Queen’s death, shared the points.
The Leaderboard
It’s bunched in the middle. The last round will sort some of that out, but it may well be the tie breaks that determine the final standings.
1=. Doctor Kirby 4/4
2=.Mister Giffin KC MA (Oxo) 3/4
2=. Young Master Jacobs 3/4
4=. Our Good Friend Mister Taylor 2.5/4
4=. Mister Jackson 2.5/4
6=. Mister Barnett 2/4
6=. Mister Dias 2/4
6=. Doctor Saldanha 2/4
6=. Mister Widdicombe 2/4
10=. Mister Ioannou 1.5/4
10=. Senor Odriozola 1.5/4
12=. Mister Rosenbaum 1/4
13=. Mister Sharland 0/4
One round to go before Gladstone has a new favourite son.