September 14th saw a double header at Ealing Chess club with a talk from Andrew Harley and a double-handed simultaneous display from Andrew and John Quinn.

This format meant the challengers had less time than would have been the case with a single-handed event but it also meant that Andrew and John had to take stock of each others move choices as they made their way around the boards. The format also gave rise to the occasional ‘traffic jam’ as they caught up with each other.

Twelve plucky members faced up to John and Andrew and there would doubtless have had more but for a temporary shortage of furniture. It was good to see no fewer that five ladies among the participants, one of whom, Devina Bedi, was the sole winner amongst the challengers, impressively converting a win after going a pawn up in the middlegame.

Here’s the early part of the game.

Among others, Clive Lawrence also started well but went wrong under pressure.. Here’s Andrew’s partial recollection of the game.