David Howell turned in a sparkling performance in the 100th British Chess Championship in Torquay, which finished last week. In 2009 Howell also won at Torquay, so he must be hoping that the English Chess Federation selects the home town of Fawlty Towers as the permanent future venue for the British Championship. Scores at the top (out of 11) were as follows: Howell 9½; Hebden, Jones (the defending champion) and Gordon 8. Grandmaster Mark Hebden, aged 55, was undefeated and this week’s puzzle is a tribute to his continued resilience. Here is an example of Howell’s convincing play during the championship.

 
Howell-Wells: British Championship, Torquay 2013; English Opening

 
1 c4 It is interesting that Howell, Adams and Nigel Short have all turned in recent games to opening with 1 c4, the sophisticated English Opening. 1 … e6 2 g3 d5 3 Bg2 dxc4 4 Na3 White’s opening play would appear to be paradoxical. He permits his pawn structure to be smashed and gambits a pawn. His compensation lies in the two far-ranging bishops situated on the long diagonals. 4 … Bxa3 5 bxa3 Ne7 6 Bb2 A new move. In the game Salov-Yusupov, Linares 1990 White decided to regain his pawn at once with 6 Qa4+. 6 … 0-0 7 Qc2 Nbc6 There is no way that Black can retain the extra pawn on c4. (see diagram 1) 8 Nf3 It would be more prudent to recapture the gambit pawn with 8 Qxc4. Howell’s choice appears to mesmerise his grandmaster opponent who immediately goes wrong. 8 … e5 The prelude to a quite unnecessary return of Black’s extra pawn. In fact, it was now possible to defend the pawn on c4 which White had neglected to take on move 8 by playing 8 … b5. It may be complicated but it is certainly playable for Black. 9 Nxe5 Nxe5 10 Bxe5 Nc6 11 Bxc6 bxc6 12 Qxc4 Re8 13 Bf4 Be6 14 Qc3 Bxa2 Black will meet 15 Rxa2 with 15 … Qd5 forking White’s rooks. 15 f3 Bd5 16 Kf2 f5 17 Rab1 Rb8 18 Rxb8 Qxb8 19 Be3 Re6 20 Qd3 Qf8 21 Rb1 a5 (see diagram 2) The upshot has been that White’s position is rock solid, his bishop and rook enjoy plentiful targets while Black is utterly devoid of counterplay. 22 Rb7 Qc8 23 Ra7 Re8 24 Rxa5 Qe6 25 Qd4 g5 26 Ra7 f4 27 gxf4 Qh3 28 Kg1 Rb8 29 Qa1 Qf5 30 Qe5 Rb1+ 31 Kf2 Black resigns It is not completely clear whether Black resigned or lost on time but his situation is, of course, utterly hopeless.