Paul and Joe in medal positions in Olomouc

Paul Stokes (in centre of photo) and Joe Skielnik, both of whom have served Battersea so well over many years, have finished second (6.5/9) and third equal (6/9) respectively in the Olomouc senior tournament in the Czech Republic.

There were a number of other British players who had travelled over for this tournament – most were in the top few.

If Paul had won his final game against Ian Heppell of Wimbledon Chess Club, he would have finished first equal, but against this high-rated player he drew.

This left a Czech player, Lubos Trojan, already on 7, but who did not play in the final round, in outright first.

Meanwhile in the Bruges open, three of our contingent, Chris Beckett, Ali Hill and Adrian Somerfield all finished on 6/9, the same score as a couple of GMs and Ben Franklin got a creditable 4/5/9.