"And David put his hand in his bag and took thence a stone., and slang it and smote Goliath in his head; And Goliath fell upon his face to the earth."
---- Samuel, Chapter 1, verse 17

Round 16 of the Xmas ladder league, which is held at Utech on weekends, was a Round of upset victories.

The first upset occured when FM Grantel Gibbs blundered in a winning position against Harold Wright. Gibbs earlier missed a chance of easily transposing into a winninging endgame position with the Good Bishop vs the bad Bishop.

The second upset occured when Shomori Smith from neadowbrook High destroyed Humphery Gayle with a timely Rook sacrifice, just when it seemed like Humphery would grab the iniative.

The third upset occured when Daren Wisdom beat Markland Douglas with the White pieces. The game started as a Morra gambit, which Douglas declined, and transposed into a c3 Sicilian, in which Douglas lost his way.

In the games held in Round 15, on Saturday, Porter could only manage a draw against Gayle, with the black pieces even despite his slight endgame advantage.

In other round 15 games,Obi Ikeako defeated Israel Crooks with black, while Junior sensation Alain morais defeated Markland Douglas, Karlos Williams overcame David lai and Ian Wilkinson held Shamari Smith to a draw.

STANDINGS after Round 16

END