GRANDMASTER Keith Arkell played a debut match on December 11 for Bury in the Manchester & District League. Keith is the first grandmaster to play for Bury, and is the highest-graded player registered in the Manchester League, just ahead of GM Nigel Davies of 3C's.

He may well be the strongest player in the 100-year plus history of the MDCA.

Keith's individual victory helped Bury defeat arch rivals Atherton 5-2 to record their first win in B Divisions this season, and it is hoped that he will play twice more in February.

While it was wonderful to have a graduate on top board, the real effort was seen on the bottom boards where all three Bury players won convincingly.

ATHERTON I...2

BURY I...5

M. O'Hara 0, K. Arkell 1; P. Mullleady , M. Norris ; S. Woodcock 1, R. Wild 0; M. Lythgoe , K. Evans ; D. Brodie 0, B. Shaples 1; G. Pennington 0, J. Litherland 1; G. Jones 0, J. Grindrod 1.

M. J. O'HARA (189)

K. ARKELL (236)

1, e4, c6; 2, C4, d5; 3, ed, nf6; 4, Nc3, cd; 5, cd, Nds; 6, Bc4, Nb6; 7, Bb3, g6; 8, Qf3, e6; 9, Ne2, Nc6; 10, d4, Bg7; 11, Be3, 00.