FM Jarred Neubronner clear winner at 2nd Balestier Blitz - by Junior Tay

The 2nd Balestier Blitz saw FM Jarred Neubronner stamping his superiority over the 6 strong field (double round robin)  with 6.5/10, one clear point ahead of the runner up NM Olimpiu Urcan, winning the 40 bucks first prize. The time control was set at 4 minutes with 2 seconds increment so as to let the 'old birds' have a chance not to get flagged so easily.

Background - CM Malcolm Tan (left) playing FM Jarred Neubronner. Foreground - FM Ong Chong Ghee (right)

CM Quek Suan Shiau (left) vs Junior Tay (right)

Jarred noted that his 2-0 win over CM Quek Suan Shiau (who finished 3rd with 5 points) was the turning point as had Suan taken a game from him, the latter would have won the event instead. Both sides traded tactical punches and Suan was on the receiving end this time.

NM Olimpiu Urcan, the runner up, magnimously chose to send us this marvellous game which he was on the receiving end against FM Mark Ong Chong Ghee. Mark last played a local tourney in 2002, tying for 1st in the 2002 Cairnhill Open. However, he is still extremely dangerous with the initiative as can be seen below.