The 35th Kidlington Chess Congress takes place on February 4 and 5 at its usual venue, Exeter Hall in Kidlington.There are four sections this time: under 225, under 180, under 145 and — for the first time — an under 120 section.

The efficient controllers, comfortable playing conditions and first rate bookstall and refreshments make Kidlington one of the country’s best weekend tournaments and the English Chess Federation recognise it as such by making the Kidlington Congress a British Championship Qualifier event. I found entry forms readily available online by typing ‘Kidlington Chess 2012’ into a search engine.

Before Kidlington, this weekend in fact, the three Oxford4NCL teams will be in action in the third and fourth rounds of this season’s Four Nations Chess Leagues. In the first division, Oxford 1 have a realistic chance of bagging points against Guildford 2 on Sunday — but Saturday’s opponents, Cheddleton, 1 might prove too strong. Oxford 2 will hope to continue the fine start they made to their division 3 campaign. This week’s game comes from their round 2 victory over AMCA Rhinos and sees Oxford’s Chris Duggan unruffled by Black’s unusual opening choice.

For Oxford 2 White: Chris Duggan Black: Peter Tart 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d5 The so-called Elephant Gambit — a rare beast.

3.exd5 Bd6 This move too has a name — the Maroczy Gambit. 3...e4 is more thematic. White can maintain an advantage with 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.d3! Qxd5 and then 6.Nbd2! — not 6.Nc3 Bb4 7.Bd2 Bxc3 8.Bxc3 0–0 which might even be better for Black.

4.d4 e4 5.Ne5 Nf6 6.Bb5+ 6.c4 was David Howell's choice against Simon Williams at the British Championships in 2007 — but I prefer Chris' move. 6...Nbd7 7.Bg5 0–0 8.Nxd7 Bxd7 9.Bxf6 gxf6 10.Bxd7 Qxd7 11.Nc3 f5 White is a pawn ahead and must be better — but Black's position makes sense and he certainly has chances.

12.Qh5 Bb4 Black tries to recover his pawn —but accepting the deficit with 12...Kh8 was more consistent.

13.0–0 Kh8 Again, black's play lacks consistency — but here you can understand him not liking the look of 13...Bxc3 14.bxc3 Qxd5 15.Qg5+ Kh8 16.Qf6+ Kg8 17.f3.

14.Rae1 Rae8 15.Re3 Rg8 16.Qh4 Rg6 17.Rh3 f6 18.Nd1? Bd6?! Missing the very strong move 18...Bd2.

19.f4 Reg8? The early 20th-century positional guru Aron Nimzowitsch would be turning in his grave to see Black allow the classic blockade of a passed pawn with a knight and hence 19...exf3 was necessary.

20.Ne3 Bf8 21.Rg3 c5 22.c3 cxd4 23.cxd4 Qb5 24.Rxg6 Rxg6 25.Qf2 Qa4 Black can defend the f-pawn with 25...Qd7 - but after 26.g3 White is rock-solid and his queen will invade via c2.

26.Nxf5 Qxa2 27.Ne3 Qa4 28.Qd2 Bb4 29.Qc1 Qd7 30.Qc2 Bd6? Dropping another pawn — but after 30...Qe8 31.f5 Rg7 32.Rf4 White racks up the pressure.

31.Qxe4 Qb5 32.Nf5 Qxb2 33.Nxd6 f5 34.Nxf5 1–0.