Oxford players were out in force for the English Chess Championships in Kenilworth last weekend
In the open event of 84 players, Arya Cont, Alex Hertog, Jon Manley, Jan Murawski (all Oxford City) were joined by Magdalen College School’s fast-improving Noah Bevis and Oxford undergraduate Aron Saunders.
Oxford City’s Shambavi Hariharan competed in the women’s championship (10 players).
This was a tough 7-round affair featuring some of the best players in England, such as GMs Michael Adams, Gawain Maroroa Jones, Nikita Vitiugov, and WGM Elmira Mirzoeva. In such august company our fortunes were bound to be mixed but overall we did remarkably well.
Shambavi was the undisputed star of the Oxford show, sharing first prize in the English Women’s Championship with Elmira Mirzoeva on 4½/7, defeating the reigning champion in their individual encounter.
In some events that result would have been sufficient to crown her as the new titleholder, but the tournament’s rules prescribed a play-off of two rapid games. In an exciting finish followed by thousands of online chess fans, Elmira just edged it 1½–½.
A remarkable performance by Shambavi who at only 14 will have plenty of opportunities to repeat her success. A naturally gifted positional player, she has worked hard to hone her calculating skills, to devastating effect in the Oxford League last season.
Elmira opened with the Réti system to reach this position which resembles a Benoni in reverse. She has just played 14.Bh3 to attack the rook.
14…exf4!
An instructive moment. Shambavi sees that for the price of the exchange she can dominate the white squares, consolidate her space advantage and target the weak d3-pawn.
A very practical move to gain space on the kingside by driving the bishop back. The computer insists that g5 can be played immediately, but it’s a hard line to calculate and the resulting position tricky to assess: 19…g5 20.Bxg5 Bxg5 21.Nxg5 Rxf2 22.Kxf2 Qf5+ 23.Qf3 Qxg5 24.Qd5+ Ne6 25.Qxg5+ Nxg5 with advantage to Black.
20.Qe2 Bg4 21.Nce1 g5 22.Bd2 Bd6 23.Rb1?
White has to try 23.Bxa5 Nxa5 24.b4 Re8 25.Qc2 Re3 26.bxc5 Bxc5 27.Nd2.
Understandably, Elmira returns the exchange hoping to relieve some of the pressure, but her pieces remain bottled up on the back ranks. Shambavi’s domination of the board gives her a decisive advantage.
30…Qxf5 31.Qh5 Rf8 32.Qe2Ng4
33.b3
33.Rd2 was best but then Black breaks through with h4 and h3.
33…Nf234.Nc2 Nxd135.Qxd1? Qf2+
It’s mate next move.
0–1
An impressive display of positional control from start to finish.
Before the play-off at Kenilworth (left to right): Shankari, Shambavi, Jan, Ola and Jon
Jan attacks
Jan Murawski did well to finish on 4/7 given that his opponents included GM Jones and IM Brandon Clarke.
He considers this his best game, against another promising youngster. Excellent opening preparation and enterprising attacking play bring home the full point, with a few bumps along the way.
Jan Murawski – Lion Lebedev English Open Championship 2025 (6)
So far so theory, according to Jan. He has just played Rb1 with a view to opening the b-file to Black’s king.
19…Qf6
A new move from Lion. Ne6, Ng6 and Qb6 have all been tried before.
Giving Lion an opportunity to turn the tables. The best move is 33.Bf1 when Black has nothing better than 33…Rd6 34.dxc5 Re6 35.Rf4 Qe7 36.c6! winning for White.
33…Ne5?
33…Rd1+ 34.Bf1 Ra1!! (the rook cannot be taken because 35…Qxf2+ mates) 35.Rxa6+ Qxa6 36.Qxf7+ Qb7 and Black wins.
34.Qa1 Rd2
Threatening mate in two by 35…Qxf2+.
35.Rxa6+
A nice exchange sacrifice from Jan to expose Lion’s king and remove his own king from danger.
Oxford City Chess Club 