Pert moves clear but Sulskis awaits

Thursday 20th October 2011, 2:29PM BST.

Grandmaster Nick Pert makes a move. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1189567)

NICK PERT has taken a grip on the 37th Intertrust Guernsey International Chess Festival at the Peninsula.

Day four featured the first two battles between grandmasters at this year’s tournament, including a renewal of their round six clash from 2010 for England’s Pert, who played a steady, controlled game with the white pieces to build a slight edge over grandmaster Tiger Hillarp-Persson.

Eventually, the Swedish six-times former champion had to concede a pawn, then another, and Pert emerged victorious as the only player carrying a 100% record going into round five.

Pert must now be considered favourite to win the £1,200 first prize.