Gawain Jones won the top section of the York Railway Institute's Summer Chess tournament.

The talented 11-year-old from Gilling, near Ampleforth, gained 71/2 points out of 9, only losing to the runner-up, John Bennett (7). Other notable performers were Richard Hardy and Sean O'Neill (both 51/2).

The middle section was closely contested and eventually won by the veteran John Morris (61/2). hiss unusual opening repertoire foxed a few of his opponents although he too, lost to the runner-up, John Foo (6).

Patrick Gower, another talented youngster, won the lower section just ahead of Norman Finburg (51/2). The winner of each section will receive a trophy to hold for one year and a small cash prize.

By coincidence, two of the Summer Tournament prize-winners clashed in the first round of the York RI's Club Championship.

John Morris was unable to mobilise his forces against Gawain Jones, this year's top seed, and eventually succumbed to the relentless pressure put upon him.

Here is the game: 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.d4 Bf5 5.Nc3 Qa5 6.Bc4 e6 7.0-0 Bb4 8.Bd2 c6 9.a3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Qc7 11.Ne5 0-0 12.Bd3 Bxd3 13.cxd3 Nbd7 14.f4 Rad8 15.Qe1 Nxe5 16.fxe5 Nd5 17.Qe4 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Rd7 19.Rf3 Qd8 20.Raf1 c5 21.dxc5 Qe7 22.d4 Qd8 23.Rh3 h6 24.Rh4 f5 25.exf6 Rxf6 26.Rxf6 Qxf6 27.Rh3 Qf5 28.Re3 Kf7 29.Rf3 1-0 Black resigned.

Six York players made it into the 'Top 50 Most Improved Players' in the Yorkshire Chess Association Year Book.

At the top was Stuart Robertson whose grade increased a staggering 38 points from 73 to 111. Another talented junior, he took the scalps of a number of unsuspecting senior players last season and will doubtless receive the respect he deserves this time round.

The other notable improvers were Robert Elliott (+20), Gawain Jones (+19), Laurence Cornhill (+19), David Baren (+17) and David Findlay (+16).

Anyone interested in playing friendly or competitive chess is most welcome at the York RI's Chess Club which meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. For further details please call Laurence Cornhill on 01904 702178.

On Wednesday evenings (from 7pm until 8.45pm) there is an active Junior Chess Club for children aged from 7 to 15-years-old. For further information call Peter Cloudsdale on 01904 766949.

Footnote: Laurence Cornhill has taken over writing the Evening Press chess column from David Hardcastle, who has contributed chess note to the newspaper for the last five years.

Cornhill said: "David has worked tirelessly to publicise and promote chess in the York area and beyond. To this work he has brought heaps of enthusiasm, an 'encyclopedic' knowledge of York chess and, at times, a much-needed sense of humour. I would like to thank him for all his efforts and wish him well in his 'retirement'.

I expect he will now have more time to devote to playing and will teach us younger players a few lessons over the chessboard."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.