British Championships: Adams takes the lead

After five rounds at the British Championships in Liverpool, Michael Adams has emerged as the new sole leader.

Heading into the round, seven players were tied with 3.5 points each. The games between Nikita Vitiugov and Matthew Wadsworth, as well as between Ammet Ghasi and Maciej Czopor, ended without a winner. Yichen Han and Gawain Maroroa Jones, the top performer among the chasing pack, also drew. This left Michael Adams as the only player from the leading group to leave the tournament hall with a full point.

The former World Championship candidate and eight-time British Champion faced a tough challenge in the young Shreyas Royal — one that Adams handled with surprising ease.

By playing the seemingly modest 3.Be2 after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6, Adams sidestepped all theoretical opening debates, avoided prepared lines, and took control of the game on his own terms. Once Royal pushed his d-pawn to d5, a position arose with a black isolated d-pawn, which Adams quickly turned to his advantage.

Co-favourite Nikita Vitiugov fared less well and got little out of his game against Matthew Wadsworth.

Matthew Wadsworth

Nikita Vitiugov, playing White against the Slav Defence of the English grandmaster, failed to gain much and offered a draw on move 31 in an endgame with rooks and bishops on both sides.

Gawain Maroroa Jones, also among the tournament favourites, found no advantage against Han Yichen in an Italian Game. This encounter also ended in a draw, in a queen and knight endgame.

A lively game unfolded between Ameet Ghasi and Maciej Czopor. Czopor had to give up the exchange in the middlegame, but Ghasi failed to capitalise, and the game also ended in a draw.

Daniel Fernandez

Daniel Fernandez faced the young Scot Frederick Waldhausen Gordon in one of the key matchups among the chasing pack. The game led to a rook endgame that was balanced but far from easy to play. Fernandez had the initiative, and his 14-year-old opponent failed to find the hidden defensive resource. From there, Fernandez converted his advantage with textbook precision.

Master the Modern Defence (1...g6) - A Dynamic and Unbalanced Weapon for Black

By opting for a fianchetto setup, you embrace unbalanced and strategically rich positions, steering away from predictable theory battles.
The Modern Defence (1…g6) is more than just a move – it’s a statement. By opting for a fianchetto setup, you embrace unbalanced and strategically rich positions, steering away from predictable theory battles. This approach allows Black to develop along the long diagonal, patiently targeting White’s strong centre instead of directly challenging it. If you‘re looking to play for a full point with Black, this opening is the perfect addition to your repertoire.
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Standings after 5 rounds

...100 players

Games

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