At the Primary schools interschool chess competition this year we had an interesting spectator, Coaching one of the school teams participating was none other then IM Andrew W. John thought it a good idea to invite him over to the club latter that same evening.

At the club, thoroughly enjoying all the chess going on, our club president had an idea, proposing a simul for the following week to give all a chance to play, finding this tremendous heavy-weight player was really lucky timing this time of the year.

IM Andrew played white on 28 boards versus 28 opponents, 13 of them Junior players of our club, many had never played in a simul before so it became a great learning experience setting up for this special event, also a quick thank-you to all those that helped with packing up and the super-fast setup we had before we started, setting up a simul (for 30 boards) has never been done that quick, anywhere, ever, so a big thank you to the many hands that made light work setting up for this adventure/challenge.

We had our standard tea-break at about an hour in which was appreciated by all as there was alot going on and lots of snacks to consume to feed the hungry brains. After two hours of play there were still 13 boards left in play, each trying their best but the bar was set too high and after three and quarter hours of chess that Wednesday (not too far of midnight) the last of the Papatoetoe Chess Club's players were defeated. Final results: 28 games, 0 draws, 0 wins to Papatoetoe, this FIDE International Master living up to the title!

On behalf of the Papatoetoe Chess Club, I really want to thank IM Andrew for playing our club, out of the blue, with no less then a weeks notice. It has given an awsome experience to our clubs players, especially to those Junior players of whom some never played in a competition like this, and might not have a chance to face a champion of this caliber ever again, possibly a true once in a life experience for some.

Andrew won against all 28 opponents