After the long break from “over the board” chess enforced by the pandemic, wood was finally being pushed around the boards again last week in the first round of this season’s Club Championship.

Approximately at the mid-point of the tournament, it’s very close at the top.

George Hollands leads by one point although Robert Thompson in second place has a round in hand.

Both players are yet to meet in the competition and one feels the outcome of their two games will have a big impact on this year’s event, which runs over 18 rounds! (George has played 10 rounds so far).