For the second consecutive day juniors have caused havoc for New Zealand Champions. For a number of years now it has been generally accepted that the smaller they are, the more terrifying they are across the chessboard.

Today's first victim of junior power was three times NZ Champion Richard Sutton of Dunedin who lost to Ben Lazarus of Brisbane. 15 year old Lazarus' happy response when asked if he realised he had just defeated a NZ Champion was a very pleased "Really?".

However, a few hours later a far bigger upset occurred when 16 year old Australian Girls' Champion, Alexandra Jule defeated International Master and former NZ Champion, Russell Dive. "I played an opening I knew nothing about. He weakened his pawns in the opening and then I played a cheap trick which caused him to weaken his position even more. Then I just fed on his weaknesses" was Jule's comment after the game. Dive, from Wellington is by far the strongest player Jule has ever beaten. A many times Chess Olympics representative for New Zealand, Dive is having a horror tournament having lost yesterday to 12 year old Raymond Song.

Five time NZ Champion, International Master Paul Garbett from Auckland drew his game with Australian International Master Alex Wohl to ensure he remains the highest placed New Zealander in the field on 4.5/5.

On the top board, 19 year old Zhao Zong Yuan defeated his friend and rival, fellow Australian International Master David Smerdon. Zhao is now the sole leader on a perfect 5/5 in the Queenstown Classic which is the strongest open tournament ever played in New Zealand. There are still 5 rounds to play in the tournament which takes place at the Millennium Hotel and concludes on 24th January. Rapidplay and Lightning Chess events follow on 25th and 26th January.

Leading Results Round 5:

 
D Smerdon       (AUS)    0 - 1     ZY Zhao        (AUS)
A Wohl          (AUS)     1/2      P Garbett      (NZL)
M Drummond      (AUS)    0 - 1     M Chandler     (ENG)
D Sermek        (SLO)     1/2      G West         (AUS)
S Solomon       (AUS)    1 - 0     R Nokes        (NZL)
P Froehlich     (GER)     1/2      I Berezina     (AUS)
I Rogers        (AUS)    1 - 0     A Susilodinata (INA)
J Lakner        (AUS)    0 - 1     HJ Hecht       (GER)
I Bjelobrk      (NZL)    1 - 0     C Wallis       (AUS)
H Van Riemsdijk (BRA)    1 - 0     M Ly           (AUS)
R Wade          (NZL)    1 - 0     M Ali          (AUS)

Board 1, IM Smerdon vs IM Zhao. Black won after sacrificing the exchange to
gain an advantage in a double-edged position. Photo by Cathy Rogers.

Board 2, IM Wohl vs IM Garbett. A draw ensured that Garbett remained the highest
placed New Zealander. Photo by Cathy Rogers.