… Cecil Cox one win away from the junior title
WENDELL Meusa needed three wins over the weekend to secure the National Chess Championship and he did it in the final round on Sunday with two rounds to spare.

On Saturday, Meusa wasted no time as he dispatched Learie Webster in round nine.

In round ten Kriskal Persaud had his opportunity to seek revenge, but was unable as Meusa handed Persaud yet another defeat.

On Sunday with only one win away from the prestigious title Omar Shariff played a brilliant game against Meusa, but was unable to convert a win due to time pressure and had to settle for a draw. Meusa went to seal the title in the final round on Sunday against Taffin Khan.

In other highlighted games on Saturday; Khan defeated Greenidge, Chung stung Shaiff, while Persaud got past Thompson.

In the afternoon session, Greenidge rebounded to defeat Webster, Shariff took care of Thompson and Chung lost to Khan.

In Sunday’s action; Persaud defeated Webster, while Khan got the better of Thompson. Greenidge defeated Persaud in their second encounter, Webster defeated Shariff, while Thompson got the better of Chung.

The final points standing after twelve rounds: Wendell Meusa eleven and a half points, Taffin Khan eight points, Ronuel Greenidge seven, Kriskal Persaud six, Omar Shariff five, Learie Webster four, Brian Thompson three and a half and Chino Chung on two points.

In the junior category, Cecil Cox is one win away from capturing the junior crown as he remains on two points ahead his nearest rivals with only two rounds to go.

Cox, who qualified eighth in the qualification, secured the top position after playing undefeated in the second half of the tournament thus far.

Cox is on ten points with his closest rivals Sham Khan and Saeed Ali who are on eight points apiece.

The points standing after twelve rounds: Cecil Cox ten, Sham Khan and Saeed Ali eight apiece, Crystal Khan seven, Rashad Hussain five, Kana Khan four and a half and Raan Motilall three and a half. Stanley Ming Jr withdrew from the tournament due to other commitments.

The final two rounds of the tournament will be played this Saturday at the Ocean Spray Hotel from 10:30 h.

The junior category is sponsored exclusively by the Ramgopal Family, while the senior category is sponsored by Neal and Massy Group of Companies, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, DDL, Ocean Spray Hotel and the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport.