British Championships

The stench of burning rubber hung in the air as I trudged back to my hotel in Hull city centre last Saturday evening. A wheelie bin lay in the street, with a fire flickering out next to it. Everywhere there were tired-looking policemen, obviously relieved the yobs had dispersed. I too was spent, and a little deflated, though there was one brawl that day which I had relished. I’d faced the experienced grandmaster Stuart Conquest in the penultimate round of the British Championships, held in Hull’s City Hall. After five tense hours of play, I came agonisingly close to winning, though Stuart’s stout defensive effort ensured I also had to stay on my toes to avoid losing.

Stuart Conquest-Luke McShane
British Championships, Hull 2024
(see left diagram)

The diagram (after 61 Bd1-h5) shows a key moment. I wanted to play 61…b4, since 62 cxb4 c3+ forks king and rook, or 62 Bxg6 bxc3+ 63 Kc2 cxd2 wins.