At the end of the 2024/25 Season, we have once again asked GM Daniel King to select the Best Game of the Season at our annual awards night. The winner was 13yo Kai Hanache for his win with the White pieces against Senith Gunarathne played on the first round of the English Championships – watch Danny’s game review below:
Kai avoided the heavy theory of the Open Sicilian and got a nice position with more space, which he took advantage of by opening the centre: first with d2-d4, and later on with e4-e5. When it looked like his queen was trapped, he was ready to sacrifice it in exchange for a rook and a bishop, and a strong attack on his opponent’s King. Eventually the pressure was enough to win the queen back and end up with an extra piece, which he converted convincingly.
Other nominated games are listed below (in no particular order):
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- CM Tom Villiers 1-0 GM Jonathan Parker
- FM Iain Gourlay 0-1 IM Peter Roberson
- Christof Brixel 1-0 FM Koby Kalavannan
- IM Jerzy Slaby 0-1 IM Tom Rendle
- GM Mirea-Emilian Parligras 0-1 FM James Moreby
- Carsten Pedersen 1-0 Bertrand Barlow
- GM Jonathan Rowson 0-1 Marco Gallana
Replay Kai’s game below, and watch the other nominated games on this Lichess Study
Make sure to keep your scoresheets and share your best games for the 2025/26 Season with a Captain or Committee member, all members can participate!
See top games from the previous season here: Game Selection 2023/24