The 2025 British Chess Championship promised drama. But few expected the biggest surprise to come this early. In Round 2, on board 3, International Master (IM) David Eggleston pulled off a stunning upset against three-time British Champion Grandmaster (GM) Gawain Jones.
Eggleston, rated 2348, took down Jones, whose rating is 2651. That’s a 303-point gap: a gulf in chess terms. But ratings don’t play the moves. People do. And on Saturday afternoon in Bolton, Eggleston played better.
This game started in the Rossolimo Attack vs Sicilian Defense, with an early sideline by Black (3…e5, 4…Bd6) that backfired. Eggleston, showing strong preparation and composure, navigated the middlegame with clarity, punished mistakes, and capitalized on Gawain’s imprecise choices.
The Rossolimo with 3…e5 is playable, but only if Black knows the subtleties. Against a well-prepared player like Eggleston, even a strong GM like Jones can get punished quickly.
Who is David Eggleston?
A name familiar to England’s chess circuit, Eggleston was born in 1987 and earned his IM title in 2013. He’s known for his solid style and deep understanding, though he’s never crossed the 2435 rating mark. He’s currently ranked 48th among active English players and 2761st in the world.
So what made this result so impressive? Gawain Jones isn’t just any grandmaster. He’s one of the most successful English players of the last two decades.
Gawain Jones: A Giant of British Chess
Jones started making headlines as a child prodigy and has represented England in the World Cup and the Chess Olympiad. He’s won the British Championship three times, most recently in 2024 after a dramatic playoff win over David Howell. Just last year, he also claimed the London Chess Classic title with an undefeated score.
He’s been as high as number 32 in the world and once reached a peak rating of 2709. This loss? A rare stumble from someone who’s made a habit of winning.
A Game That Shook the Standings
After two rounds, only 13 players have a perfect 2/2 score. Eggleston is one of them, and his win against Jones gave him the biggest rating jump of them all: +10.4.
Here’s a quick look at the top board results from Round 2:
- GM Nikita Vitiugov (2676) beat FM Kenneth Hobson (2361)
- GM Michael Adams (2663) drew GM Glenn Flear (2358)
- IM David Eggleston (2348) beat GM Gawain Jones (2651)
- GM Stuart Conquest drew GM Mark Hebden
- GM Ameet Ghasi won again, staying perfect on 2/2
While the top seeds like Vitiugov, Ghasi, and Royal kept their momentum, it’s Eggleston’s name that’s turning heads.
2025 British Chess Championship results and ranking
What This Means
For Eggleston, this is a career-defining win. For Jones, it’s a tough blow early in the tournament. He’ll need to bounce back fast if he wants to stay in the title race.
Upsets like this remind us why chess is special. It doesn’t matter how many trophies you’ve won or what your title is. If your opponent plays better that day, you lose.
And on August 3rd, 2025, David Eggleston played better.
Bodhana Strikes Back: A Ten-Year-Old’s Brilliant Recovery
After a tough first-round loss to GM Gawain Jones, 10-year-old Bodhana Sivanandan bounced back with impressive composure in round two at the 2025 British Chess Championships. Playing with the white pieces, she outmaneuvered 2098-rated Bernard Chan in a complex middlegame and showcased mature endgame technique to convert her advantage. Her calmness under pressure and precise play in the final moves were a reminder that she’s really a prodigy.
📰 Missed the full preview? Read our article about the championship setup, key players, and format: Everything You Need to Know About the 2025 British Chess Championship
📅 Stay tuned for more surprises as the battle for Britain’s chess crown continues.
Watch the championship live here
I’m the senior editor of Attacking Chess, a keen chess player, rated above 2300 in chess.com. You can challenge me or asking questions at Chess.com.
