Ferris gains over 100 points at British Rapidplay

This weekend, the British Rapidplay took place in Peterborough.

Over 200 participants took part including one of Suffolk’s juniors, Oliver Ferris, who finished in 149th place gaining 124 Elo points. Oliver scored four victories, two draws and five losses, all against higher-rated opponents.

The event was won by a Scottish junior, Frederick Waldhausen Gordon, who in the final round beat Super GM, Gawain Maroroa Jones, to secure the title.

Some highlights from Oliver’s tournament include:

• A wonderful Greek Gift tactic in round 2
• An “intermezzo checkmate” in round 4
• A solid victory in round 7

Greek Gift tactic

Here White seized the opportunity to win a pawn using a well-known tactical theme known as the “Greek Gift“.

Intermezzo-checkmate

In the position reached below, White is winning and threatening Qxc8 checkmate. Short of time, Black played 38…Bxd5??, probably expecting White to recapture, but instead the White’s Queen captures Black’s rook regardless, delivering an “intermezzo-checkmate”.

Solid victory

In round 7, Oliver played a pretty-near perfect game, a rare feat, especially in rapid chess.