The 98th Darwin Strategic British Championships took place in Ponds Forge, Sheffield, from July 26th to August 5th 2011. The games were held as seven hour sessions: 100 minutes for 40 moves followed by 50 minutes for 20 moves, then 15 minutes for the remaining moves with 30 seconds cumulative increment for each move starting from first move. The Championship is also hosting events for seniors, U2000, U1800, U1600, U1400, British U16, U14, U13, U12, U11, U10, U9, U8, the Major Open, Five Day Open (a.m. and p.m.) Weekenders and Rapid Plays.

For most of the 98th British Championship it was a battle between the two top seeds, Michael Adams and Nigel Short. Before round ten "Mickey" was leading, but when he drew Nicholas Pert and Nigel beat Peter Wells the score was even.

Top standings after ten (of eleven) rounds

GM Nicholas Pert, rated 2555, drew Michael Adams in round ten

David Anderton, leader of the Seniors after nine rounds, chats with Championship
contender Nigel Short, before the start of round ten

• "...then I sacricficed a pawn and got a huge lead in development" (Thomas);
• "The pies where this big when I was a lad in Bolton" (Bryan Whitby);
• "Yes, I saw it too. It's this big. We need to find a crocodile hunter" (Volker Kraft);
• "The size of the problems with FIDE is this big" (Paul Hopwood);
• "I came this close to beating Mickey Adams in the playoff matches"
• "I once caught a sea bishop this size"; (David Scarian).

The stage was set for an exciting final round, with many different outcomes possible. As it turned out both title contenders ran into serious problems and at one time it looked as if both might lose (Nigel, it must be said, seemed to have accepted an inferior position, Lasker style, to provoke his opponent into over-reaching).

Top boards, spectators, players in the other championships in round eleven

Michael Adams vs IM Yang-Fan Zhou, GM Steven Gordon vs Nigel Short

Mickey Adams was put under pressure by IM Yang-Fan Zhou

Round eleven top board results

Top final rankings after eleven rounds

Titles and play-off

The tie between the leaders, Michael Adams and Nigel Short, meant there would be a play-off for the title: two rapid play games, at the rate of 20 minutes for all moves plus ten minutes per move. In case of a tie then an Armageddon game. The first game, in which Nigel had white, was drawn, the second was convincingly won by Adams, who thus became the 2011 British Champion.

IM Jovanka Houska became British Womens Champion 2011, scoring 7/11 (+5, =4, –2). Jovanka also became English Womens Champion 2011.

Photos by Epidemiac, Steve King, Adam Raoof and Steve Connor for the official site

Game-of-the-day video reports by IM Andrew Martin

Round eight: Buckley,Graeme N (2380) - Wells,Peter K (2489)

Round nine: Howell,D (2625) - Ansell,S (2410) [B43]

The two final rounds will go up this weekend and can be watched here.

Links Official tournament site Top games in zipped PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 11 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.