He’s by some distance the highest rated player ever to appear at Battersea Chess Club – and last night we found out why.

Fresh from reaching the final of the British Knockout at the London Chess Classic, Grandmaster David Howell came, saw and conquered as he racked up an incredible 18 wins in a 22-board simultaneous display.

It was the first time in five years the England international, whose peak rating was 2712, has hosted a simul – and that was against children.

This time he faced stiff competition including Hammersmith’s top board Carsten Pedersen, rated 2163, and Battersea’s own Ali Hill, rated 2220.

But David showed he was a class act conceding only one defeat – to Battersea’s club treasurer Malcolm Dancy – and three draws, to Carsten, Ali and long-serving home player Vic Rumsey.

Club treasurer Malcolm Dancy is doing very nicely – three pawns up vs @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/GGDA0TC7Qn — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Theo Wait, who helps run Lichess.org, was the first to go, followed by Pavel Nefyodov, Paul Stokes, John White, Leon Watson, Battersea’s oldest player Peter Yusoff, Safiullah Farnad, Richard Crampton and Arnold Hunt.

Huselyn Gokham Kizilay, Emil Todorow, Grant Gericke, Chris Rebbeck, Richard Crampon, Bill Drennan and Steve Barry all hung on but could not hold the former British champion back.

Club chairman Alan Palmer eventually succumbed because he needed a pee, he claimed.

Chairman Alan Palmer says: "An ignominious end. Right, I was dying for a pee." @DavidHowellGM wins again. They're dropping like flies pic.twitter.com/vJCbS1xhoH — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

David is the third big name to host a simul at the club this year after Ginger GM Simon Williams and American YouTube star IM John Bartholomew.

Unlike Simon though, the 26-year-old was not tempted by our cheap booze and kept a clear head right to the end.

Even against Malcolm, whom David was facing defeat after having dispatched everyone else, he went for “one last trick”.

In the end the final score was a masterful 19.5 to David, the rest 2.5.

Social reaction:

Battersea's Ali Hill scores a draw vs @DavidHowellGM Nice one chap! pic.twitter.com/eFnrB2csWe — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Chairman Alan Palmer says: "An ignominious end. Right, I was dying for a pee." @DavidHowellGM wins again. They're dropping like flies pic.twitter.com/vJCbS1xhoH — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Emil Todorow resigns, looks at his board and says: "It's a joke, a total car crash." Another @DavidHowellGM victim — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Emil fans, here's his position pic.twitter.com/YEWfsDcNPT — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Good news for @hammer_chess fans, Carsten Pedersen has DRAWN with @DavidHowellGM — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

This is quite a display from @DavidHowellGM but Battersea's Vic Rumsey just shook hands on a draw. Well done Vic! — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Here’s Hammersmith Chess Club tweeting support for Carsten:

GO ON SON!!! NORWEGIAN* WOOD-PUSHER!!! *(Danish) — Hammersmith Chess (@hammer_chess) December 20, 2016

"I captured his rook with my bishop but @DavidHowellGM still crushed me," says Grant Gericke pic.twitter.com/lijNZTQo4s — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Chris Rebbeck is sunk. "I enjoyed it," he said. @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/ZW3QdVx9dL — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

We think this guy, @DavidHowellGM, is winning on ALL boards – incredible stuff pic.twitter.com/FnHaVa039Z — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Bill Drennan is a piece down and takes a pass vs @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/DMp8R5rhwY — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Battersea boys Steve Barry and Arnold Hunt vs @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/0SA6SRNUHX — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Safiullah Farnad here, 1780, next to @hammer_chess Adam Cranston, 1765 pic.twitter.com/jxxHw9rVdI — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

There's a Bulgarian in the foreground, that's Emil Todorow, 1900 FIDE. He's doing ok @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/WC4gGFvXf4 — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Battersea's Vic Rumsey pic.twitter.com/luBDRI5jRW — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Arnold Hunt and Huselyn Gokham Kizilay still going strong (ish) vs @DavidHowellGM pic.twitter.com/tRyqlOAPx6 — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016

Pavel Nefyodov is a goner pic.twitter.com/3RfKOy3BCZ — Battersea Chess Club (@BatterseaChess) December 20, 2016