After the first six rounds of the 71st National Chess Finals 2006, Colin Pace is a clear one point ahead of the rest of the field thanks to his brilliant start of the second round where he won two games in a row beating his old rival Duncan Vella, in an interesting open game, and Andrew Borg in a drawish end-game with the same coloured bishop and five pawns each.

Joseph Gauci is in second place with four and a half points and seems to be the only threat for Pace’s claim for this year’s title.

Gauci is playing solidly and the last round encounter with Pace will possibly be decisive.

Standings after six rounds: 1 Pace Colin (rating – 2171) 5½ pts; 2 Gauci Joseph (rating – 2112) 4½ pts; 3 Borg Andrew (rating – 2140) 3½ pts; 4 Camilleri Harry (rating – 2149) 3½ pts; 5 Vella Duncan(rating – 2107) 3½ pts; 6 Zerafa Patrick (rating – 1912) ½ pt