The London Chess Classic Gawain Jones, joint FIDE Open winner Simon Williams, joint FIDE Open winner Arlette van Weersel, Women's Invitational winner From 8th to 15th December, four of the world’s top grandmasters joined battle with the top four English players in a thrilling all-play-all tournament, the 2nd London Chess Classic. Andrew Farthing was fortunate enough to be invited to attend during one of the rounds and offers his impressions of a stunning event. (continued on Page 5 - photographs courtesy of Ray Morris-Hill (
[email protected]) and Brendan O’Gorman (http://picasaweb.google.com/bpogorman)) Matthew Fanning (144) - CJ de Mooi (ug) From the desk of the President British Rapidplay Championships In November, I was honoured to be 21st November 2010 invited to the British Rapidplay Championships held in Halifax. I had 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. f3 e6 6. played in the event on two occasions in Bd3 Nf6 7. Be3 Nbd7 8. Ne2 Bxe4 9. fxe4 c5 10. O-O the mid 1990s but hadn't returned cxd4 11. Bxd4 since so it was an opportunity I wasn't able to pass up. I was delighted to find an extremely well set up and run event and it was a pleasure to be in the hall with avid chess fans and dedicated organisers, all determined to provide and enjoy an excellent event. Having been very much a non player for several years now, I had intend- ed to merely spectate but a spare place in the Intermediate section tempted me back to my perenni- al role of filler once again.