The fifth and final round of our Club Championship has brought plenty of excitement, tension, and tactical fireworks. With just two matches left to be played, the final standings are starting to take shape — but not without some drama first!
Here’s a look at two of the standout games from this week’s action:
♟️ Ethan Turnbull vs Jamie Smith
Result: 1-0
This was a long and tense battle that hinged on a couple of critical moments.
The turning point came on move 13, when Jamie played 13…Qxc6, missing that it allowed 14.Ne7+, a tactic that would have left Ethan with a clear material advantage. However, Ethan missed the opportunity and instead played 14.Nf6+, letting Jamie off the hook — for the time being.
The game then settled into a quieter phase, eventually simplifying down to an opposite-coloured bishop endgame, where chances for both sides appeared level. At that stage, a draw seemed the likely result.
But chess is often a game of patience and precision. On move 48, Jamie played 48…f3, a subtle but crucial mistake. Ethan seized the opportunity, activating his king and coordinating his pieces with textbook technique. From there, he steadily turned the screw, advancing his queenside majority and forcing concessions.
Ethan’s perseverance paid off, and he capped the game with a neat checkmate on move 67 — 67.Qg6# — proving once again that endgame knowledge and endurance can be the deciding factor, even in games where earlier chances have slipped away.
♟️ Keith Emery vs Robbie Williamson
Result: 1-0
This game was a short but explosive encounter featuring the rarely-seen Elephant Gambit — 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5. It’s a bold and aggressive line from Black, but one that can easily backfire if not handled with precision.
Keith navigated the opening well, accepting the gambit and quickly challenging Black’s setup. After queens came off early, he kept up the pressure with active piece play and clever tactical ideas. Robbie fought back with some creative counters, and after 18…Nxf5, it looked like he might be getting back into the game.
But Keith wasn’t about to let it slip. The game turned decisively after 22…Rd4??, when he uncorked the brilliant 23.exf7+!, cracking open the position and exposing Black’s king. With White’s pieces swarming in, Robbie was forced to resign just one move later.
A sharp and confident win from Keith, punishing a dubious opening and finishing with style.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Round 5 marks the final round of this year’s Club Championship, and we’re down to just two matches left to play. With everything on the line, every half-point matters — and we’ve already seen that this year’s title could be decided by a single missed tactic or one endgame error.
Thanks to everyone who’s taken part so far — it’s been brilliant to see the level of play and fighting spirit on display each week. We’ll post the final results and standings once the last games are in, so stay tuned!
Until then… keep your king safe, watch those tactics, and never underestimate the endgame! ♜
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