Simultaneous exhibition match

Colin Pace, 2003 Malta champion, was a special guest recently at the Società Filarmonica of Sliema where he figured in a simultaneous exhibition against 12 budding players. The activity was organised with the collaboration of the Malta Chess Federation.

The players were selected from the final Junior Championship 2005 classification with Glenn Fenech, U-16 champion, on board 1 and Chris Farrugia on board 2.

The rest of the boards were manned by Omar Shamala, U-14 champion Luke Saliba, Daniel Saliba, Chris Attard, Andrè Xuereb, Grant Camilleri, U-12 champion Luke Buhagiar, Daryl Agius, Rita Saliba and U-10 champion Rubi Mercieca.

Pace had two hours to finish off all games. He took this friendly challenge seriously and played solidly, making good use of his superior experience in the openings, stopping only ocassionally to double check his next move.

Through some interesting tactics Pace was soon a piece up against four boards although in the process he did lose the exchange (rook to knight) to Saliba.

This game became the centre of attraction. As the time ticked away Pace managed to transform the position slowly into a win thanks to the advancing connected passed pawns which Saliba found irresistible.

At the end of the allocated time the tally was 12 straight wins for the ex-champion. The activity was very well received by everyone involved.

Tonio Portughese, president of the Società Filarmonica Sliema, thanked everyone and presented Pace with a commemorative token. He also proposed that this activity becomes an annual event.

G.D. Borg, president of the Malta Chess Federation, expressed his satisfaction for the high class facility offered and said the federation will not miss the opportunity to hold other chess activities at this venue.