The English Championship, held in Peterborough over the last week of October, has become a popular addition to the tournament calendar in recent years. Blitz, rapid, and classical titles were all at stake, and Gawain Maroroa Jones and Michael Adams were the top two seeds – both seasoned England team members. But in the rapid event, it was Jonah Willow and Marcus Harvey who tied for first place on 9/11, and the latter won the title in a playoff.
Gawain Maroroa Jones was a convincing winner in the classical event, where his undefeated score of 7.5/9 put him a point clear of the field. He followed up by winning the English blitz championship, which was held the next day.
On numerous occasions while playing for England, I have sat next to Gawain and glanced over at some dicey position. But I have learned not to worry, as his record in salvaging draws or even wins from these situations is far too consistent to be attributed to luck. When they reached the diagram below, Willow had played a steady game until this point, and holds a large advantage.
Jonah Willow – Gawain Maroroa Jones
English Championship, Peterborough, October 2026
42 Rd5! Seizing the initiative. This is much stronger than 42 Rxa7 Rf1! which threatens Re6-e3 mate, and after 43 g3 Kh7 Black has good counterplay, with ideas of Re6-c6, h5-h4 or Nf5-h6-g4. Nh6 43 Rdd7 Nf5 (see diagram) 44 Rc5? 44 g4! was the way forward to dislodge the knight. At first sight 44…hxg4 45 Kxg4 Nh6+ looks fine for Black, as Kg4-f3 is met by Nh6-f5. But 46 Kh5!! wins, e.g. 46…Nf5 47 Kg6!, or 46…Rh1+ 47 Kg6! f5+ 48 Kg5 and the checks run out, so the rooks on the seventh rank will decide the game. Rxc2! A surprise resource, since 45 Rxf5 Rxc3+ forces White to give up the bishop. 45 g3 Ree2! Continuing the counterattack. 46 Rxf5?! A mistake under pressure, though not yet a decisive one. Rxf2+ 47 Ke3? 47 Ke4 was essential. Then 47…Rxc3 48 Rxa7 Rxg3 49 Rxh5 Rg4 50 Rf5 should cling on for the draw. Rg2 48 Rxh5? White was in trouble anyway, but now he loses a rook by force. Rxg3+ 49 Ke4 Re2+ 50 Kf5 g6+ 51 Kxf6 gxh5 52 Rd8+ Kh7 53 Rd7+ Kh6 White resigns
Peter Roberson – Alan Merry
English Championship, Peterborough, October 2026
A photogenic finish from the same event. In the diagram, Black was perhaps hoping for 17 Rxc6 (threatening Rc6-c8#) Qxc6! 18 Nxc6 bxa4 with a favourable endgame. Instead:
17 Qxa6!! Now 17…Rxa6 18 Rc8 is mate, so Black’s reply is forced. Rxc1+ 18 Bxc1 Qe4+ 19 Be3 Now if 19…Qxe5 20 Qc8#, so Black must keep giving checks. Qb1+ 20 Kd2!
Luring the knight forward spoils Black’s coordination. Ne4+ Or 20…Qxb2+ 21 Kd3 wins 21 Ke2 Qc2+ 22 Kf3 Nd6 23 Rc1 Qe4+ 24 Ke2 Qxe5 25 Qc6+ Kd8 26 Kf1! e6 27 Qb6+ Ke7 28 Bd4! Qxd4 29 Qxd4 Black resigns
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