Chess

Luke McShane, England's 12-year-old super-prodigy, notched up his second grandmaster scalp last weekend. Playing for Richmond in the 4 Nations Chess League, he beat Jonathan Levitt with a surprise mating finish in an endgame. Although the end came through a blunder by Levitt, McShane played the whole game with great maturity. When 12-year-olds beat grandmasters, you expect short tactical accidents, not an early queen exchange and delicate manoeuvring.

Black had the advantage after 24...Rxc4, but lost his way after executing the correct plan of b5, a5 and b4. 38...Rcb8 would have been better than 38...Nxb4, and 41...Rb8?? was fatal. He is mated after 42...Kf8 43.Rxf7, or 42...Kg7 43.Rxf7+ Kh6 44.Rh7, or 42...Kh8 43.Rxb6 Rxb6 44.Rxf7 followed by Rh7.

White: Luke McShane

Black: Jonathan Levitt

1 e4 e6 22 Bxd5 Nxd5

2 d4 d5 23 Bc1 Qc4

3 Nd2 c5 24 Qxc4 Rxc4

4 exd5 Qxd5 25 Rfe1 Rec8

5 Ngf3 cxd4 26 Kg1 g6

6 Bc4 Qd6 27 g3 Bf8

7 0-0 Nf6 28 a3 h5

8 Nb3 Nc6 29 h4 Bg7

9 Nbd4 Nd4 30 Nb3 b6

10 Nxd4 a6 31 Nd2 R4c6

11 Bb3 Qc7 32 Ne4 b5

12 Qf3 Bd6 33 Be3 a5

13 h3 Bh2+ 34 Bd4 Bxd4

14 Kh1 Be5 35 Rxd4 b4

15 c3 0-0 36 axb4 axb4

16 Be3 Re8 37 cxb4 Rb6

17 Rae1 Bd7 38 Ra1 Nxb4

18 Qe2 Rac8 39 Rd7 Rf8

19 Nf3 Bd6 40 Raa7 Nc6

20 Rd1 Bc6 41 Rab7 Rb8

21 Nd4 Bd5 42 Nf6+ 1-0