Rogers in 1976
The 1976 Durban champion was Dennis Rogers, who was 18 years old
at the time, slightly older than David Walker was when he won the
title for the first time in 1972. Dennis won clearly with 7/9,
losing only to Santos and to Churton.
Dennis was educated at Brettenwood High School, which dominated schools
chess in the early 1970's, with strong players such as Orlando Santos,
Arnold Muscat, Steven Strooh and Michael Cziczkat. Dennis was an
extremely active player from 1974 to 1976. His fondness for openings
involving the fianchetto of his Queens Bishop and quick play took
everyone by surprise in 1976. However, Dennis was unable to defend
his title, finishing last on 2½ points in 1977, and soon thereafter
gave up playing chess.
Dennis travelled to Johannesburg in May 1976, where he played this
game against South Africa's then top player, David Friedgood:
1.e4 b6 2.d4 Bb7 3.Nc3 e6 4.Bd3 c5 5.Nf3 cxd4 6.Nxd4 Bc5 7.Nb3 Na6
8.0-0 Ne7 9.a3 0-0 10.Qe2 Nb8 11.Nxc5 bxc5 12.Be3 d6 13.e5 c4 14.Bxc4 d5
15.Rad1 a6 16.Bg5 Qc7 17.Bd3 Ng6 18.Bxg6 fxg6 19.f4 Qb6+ 20.Kh1 Qxb2
21.Rb1 Qxc3 22.Rxb7 Nc6 23.Rfb1 ½-½
(drawn on Friedgood's proposal as he considered 23...Rfb8 24.Rxb8+ Rxb8
25.Rxb8+ Nxb8 to be clearly better for Black)
Friedgood,David (2275) - Rogers,Dennis (1775)
Twins Open, Johannesburg, 1976