Alex Jackman produced the biggest tenth-round upset, beating the higher rated Martyn Del Castilho. (GP)

NATIONAL MASTER Terry Farley continued his quest towards victory in the tenth round of the Consumers Guarantee Insurance National Chess Championships at Harrison College earlier this week.

Farley has shown dogged determination throughout the tournament, and facing a stubborn Allan Herbert, he was sorely tested.

Herbert seemed in an obstinate mood from the solid opening and Farley's efforts to drum up complications fell flat. However, Herbert was undone by his ambition as he decided to change strategy, and instead lost a pawn and the game.

As has been the pattern, defending champion F.M. Delisle Warner was first to finish with a crushing victory over BCF president Dr Kumar Areti. In a typical Slav defence, white crashed through on the queenside combining multiple threats, and even sacrifices that could not stem the tide.

Justin Blackman was also in punishing form against Michael Barker in a French defence.
Blackman came out of the opening with a spacial edge which he translated into a kingside attack. Barker's counter-play never got started and Blackman's attack in sacrificing a rook culminated in an extra piece,
forcing resignation.

The upset of the night came when Martyn Del Castilho fell to Alex Jackman.

Jackman held no advantage from the opening
and eventually Martyn combined threats to win a pawn. The victory became a defeat after time trouble intervened and the advantage abruptly switched sides in the final game to finish. In other action, top junior Shamel Howell won an exciting game against under-20 champ Wendell Meusa. In a game rich in tactics Meusa missed the final shot from Howell and resigned.

The final round will see Farley take on a buoyant Alex Jackman, while Warner will try to put on the final pressure with a victory over Meusa. (PR)