… Saeed Ali ahead in the juniors

VETERAN player Michael Pereira has assumed the lead in the Topco Juice Mash Chess Tournament as the tournament reaches the half-way stage.

Pereira created a stunning upset in round one after defeating National Champion Wendell Meusa. Pereira also dispatched Kenrick Brathwaite and David Khan in rounds two and three respectively. Pre-tournament favourite Taffin Khan found himself at the losing end in round one as he was upset by Haatram Parbat.

When play resumed last Thursday with round four in the senior category, in a battle of the veterans, Pereira fought off a heavy attack from Errol Tiwari to gain an advantage in the endgame, but was unable to convert a win and had to settle for a draw.

Wendell Meusa got past David Khan, Kenrick Brathwaite got the better of Ronald Roberts, while Haatram Parbat took care of  Nowrattan Persaud.

In another thrilling game Shiv Nandalall defeated Taffin Khan after the lad found himself fighting off two rooks against his bishop and knight.

Khan subsequently resigned. The points standing after four rounds read: Michael Pereira and Errol Tiwari on three and a half points, (Pereira is ahead based on the tiebreaker system), Wendell Meusa and Shiv Nandalall on three points apiece, David Khan, Kenrick Brathwaite, Haatram Parbat, Carlos Allicock and Taffin Khan on two points, Frankie Farley and Ronald Roberts on one and a half and Ryan Singh and Nowrattan Persaud on one point each.

In the junior category, Saeed Ali has assumed the early lead with four points from his four allotted games. He is closely followed by Raan Motilall on three and a half points, Devendra Singh, Cecil Cox and Mandy Ramnarine all on three points apiece, Farad Baksh and Sheriffa Ali on two and a half, while eight players are tied on two points.

The tournament continues today from 10:00 h for the seniors while the juniors will play one round from 14:30 h. The final set of rounds will conclude tomorrow, starting at 10:00 h for both categories.

The tournament is organised by the Guyana Chess Federation and is sponsored exclusively by DDL under the Topco Juice Brand.