THERE was a sensation at the Paignton Chess Congress in the 30 match simultaneous event where the new British and English Champion, Michael Adams, took on a strong team of players.

It is expected in these games that the champion will, perhaps, give a draw to an opponent but it is rare for him to lose a match, writes John Doidge.

This did indeed happen when Newton Abbot's 17-year old Robert Thompson secured the only win of the evening.

A pupil at the Torquay Boys Grammar School, Robert's chess has improved steadily throughout his school life and he is now one of the top players in Devon.

This comes on top of a brilliant performance in the UK Chess Challenge held recently at Warwick, of which more will be written at a later date.

Other local players, Alex Billings, Freddie Sugden and Stephen Schofield all lost their games against the champion who finally finished with a score of 28-3.

In the main event of the congress, local Grandmaster, Keith Arkell has now gone into the lead on his own with a 100 per cent record. There are three players only half a point behind, Dirk Jordan (Dresden), John Feavyour (Bury St.Edmunds) and Tyson Nordue who is a member of the Braille CC.

It is interesting that there are six partially sighted players and one totally blind person playing at this congress. Although playing with a special board, the blind are able to play the game but must also have a phenomenal memory to be able to compete.

Chris Archer-Lock (Maidenhead) has taken an outright lead in the challenger's section, but the Devon captain, Brian Hewson, is only half a point behind.

In the Intermediate section Paul Smith (Hastings) is the only one with a 100 per cent record, although Freddie Sugden (Newton Abbot) can be proud that he is only one point behind, whilst Norman Tidy and Geoff Rosser (Torquay) are also well in the hunt.

In the other sections the local players have not done so well but there are still four days to go and anything can happen.