Are there rules in the core set for fighting unarmed?

Yes. Unarmed combat uses dagger skill.

Thanks

(Having originally got used to it over years of running MERP) it actually feels more comfortable for me to call the skill "Brawling". I find it easier to explain to players that Brawling includes fighting with knives and daggers than to say that Dagger also includes fighting without a dagger!

While we're at it... Grappling systems have been the bane of rules design for decades: seemingly impossible to do justice to without creating all sorts of mechanical complexitiesin the game system. But I think grappling and wrestling is also more appropriate in dramatic narrative-flavoured gaming -- compared to toe-to-toe weaponslinging games where success tends to hinge on maximising your hit point damage output.

Have we any house rules emerging as good solutions for when grappling is a PC's only option?

Cheers,
--Os.

I offered up this suggestion as a combat task on the thread Dagger Vs. Spear:

Forward Stance: Grapple Fighting
Any unarmed hero or hero armed with a dagger or short weapon may attempt to grapple his opponent and gain an advantage while fighting.

When it is his turn to take action, he should first make a roll of Athletics or Battle. The TN for the roll is equal to 10 plus his opponent's Attribute level. A great or extraordinary success is needed if the hero is engaged by multiple opponents.

If he passes, he can make an attack roll at +2 and gains a +4 Parry bonus if his opponent is using a long weapon. These bonuses remain in effect until he suffers Endurance loss or breaks the grapple. While grappling, enemies also gain +2 on attack rolls, unless they are using a long weapon.

If he fails, he may not make an attack roll this round.