… Rashad Hussain top juniors
NATIONAL chess champion Wendell Meusa played undefeated to capture the KEISHAR’S FIDE Qualifier when play concluded last weekend at the Kei-shar’s Sports Club. Meusa finished with seven wins and his lone draw came against Taffin Khan in round five.
In Saturday’s action, Meusa defeated Shiv Nandalall, Taffin Khan defeated Ronuel Greenidge, Loris Nathoo got past Learie Webster and Frankie Farley got the better of Errol Tiwari.
Also registering wins were David Khan, Dennis Dillon, Ryan Singh and Alex Joseph. When play resumed on Sunday, Meusa came up against Nathoo in round seven and in a tense battle, the national champion prevailed.
In another game from round seven, Nandalall defeated Taffin Khan, David Khan got past Frankie Farley, Ronuel Greenidge defeated Raan Motilall, Errol Tiwari got past Dennis Dillon, and other winners in round seven were Michael Pereira, Ryan Singh and Sham Khan.
As round eight began, Meusa had already secured the top podium position as he was one and a half points ahead of his nearest rival.
He maintained that lead at the end of the tournament by defeating David Khan in the final round.
Nandalall defeated Greenidge while Taffin Khan defeated Errol Tiwari. Nathoo, Ryan Singh, Sham Khan, Saeed Ali and Raan Motilall were also in the winning column.
The final points standing reads: Wendell Meusa seven and a half, Shiv Nandalall and Taffin Khan six points,  Ronuel Greenidge, David Khan, Loris Nathoo and Ryan Singh all on five points apiece, Sham Khan four and a half, Errol Pereira, Errol Tiwari, Frankie Farley, Saeed Ali, Dennis Dillon and Raan Motilall on four points each, Ron Motilall and Learie Webster on three apiece, Alex Joseph on two, while Craig Sylvester and Haatram Parbat on one point apiece.
The six players who have qualified for the FIDE-rated tournament set for later in year are: Shiv Nandalall, Taffin Khan,  Ronuel Greenidge, David Khan, Loris Nathoo and Ryan Singh.  Wendell Meusa already has a FIDE rating of 1 958 rating points.
In the junior category, Rashad Hussain seized the opportunity in the absence of four of the stronger juniors, Raan and Ron Motilall, Saeed Ali and Sham Khan, who made a bold move to play in the senior category, to capture his first major win.
Hussain played undefeated to finish on eight points, Khalid Gajraj on five and a half, Mandy Ramnarine, Kana Khan, Suhai Feng and Stanley Ming Jr. on five points apiece, Shane Yussuf four points, Daniel DaSilva three and a half, Sheriffa Ali three, Miranda Ramnarine and Vashti Ramnarine on two points apiece and Lianna Parbat on one point.
Shane Yussuf was adjudged the best beginner and received a trophy, while Shiv Nandalall presents his second place gift voucher to Yussuf. Rashad Hussain, Khalid Gajraj and Mandy Ramnarine also received trophies and gift voucher.
The top seven players in the seniors received trophies, while the top three received gift vouchers. All gift vouchers are redeemable at any of the Kei-shar’s branches.