The London Chess Classic has just concluded and, during the tournament, the Earls Court Olympia venue has been the place to be to watch and learn from the world’s best.

With free entry for children during the event – and well over a thousand children made school trips to the event – the emphasis has been on bringing more young people into the game.

The aim of the charity Chess for Schools and Communities is to give every pupil in England and Wales the opportunity to benefit from chess lessons and clubs at their school.

The charity’s chief executive is Malcolm Pein – who is also, of course, the organiser of the London Classic – and little opportunity was missed during the tournament to promote the work of this very worthwhile body. Chess fans will wish Malcolm every success with both ventures.

Despite fielding its strongest line-up of the season, City 1 was fortunate to edge past Cowley 1 into the third round of the Frank Wood Shield competition.

The score of 3.5 - 2.5 hides the fact that City had desperate positions on top and bottom boards – but managed to draw both with just seconds to play.

This week’s game was played on board 2 of that match and sees a near faultless display from City’s Jon Manley against a dangerous opponent.

White: Jon Manley Black: Will Burt 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Bb5 This off-best idea should not be underestimated. Gawain Jones’ Sicilian grand prix attack gives good coverage. 3...g6 Letting White carry out his plan. More critical is 3...Nd4 4.Bxc6 dxc6 Either recapture is possible. It’ not clear which is better – though taking this way is more popular. 5.d3 Bg7 6.Be3 b6 7.Qd2 h5?! The usual move is 7...e5. Will’s move suggests he’s planning to castle queenside – but with the lever a2-a4-a5 possible, Black’s king won’t be particularly safe over there. 8.f4 Qc7 9.Nf3 Bd7 10.0–0 0–0–0 11.Qf2 Getting out of the way of Black’s rook and eyeing Black’s static queenside formation. 11...Nh6 12.h3 Bf6?! Black is trying to control h4 – possibly with idea of making ...Ng4 work – but the move just encourages White onwards. Jon thought that Black should try 12...f5 13.e5 Nf7 with 14...g5 to follow and counter-play. 13.a4 a5 14.e5 Bg7 15.d4! cxd4 16.Bxd4 Kb7 Against 16...c5 17.Nd5 Qb7 not 18.Nxe7+ Kb8 –which is far from clear – but the sacrifice 18.Nxb6+! Qxb6 19.Bxc5 Qc6 20.Ra3 looks deadly.

17.b4! Jon prises open the queenside. With no counter-play, Black is doomed. 17...axb4 18.a5! bxa5 If Black takes the piece then 18...bxc3 19.axb6, with 20.Ra7 to come, is the end. 19.Na4 Ra8 20.Bb6 Qc8 21.Bxa5! c5 22.Nxc5+ Kb8 23.Qd4 0–1