… Hussain cops junior title
LORIS Nathoo emerged winner in the senior category of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF)-organised Trophy Stall chess tournament, when play concluded last weekend at the Keishar’s Sports Club, Camp and Hadfield Streets. The only two players who managed to draw with him in their matchup were former national champion Wendell Meusa and present president of the GCF, Dr Errol Tiwari, as Nathoo ended with five wins and two draws to finish on six points from seven games.   
Meusa was tied with Nathoo up to round five as he suffered a devastating loss to Alexander Duncan in round six to finish on five and a half points while Dr Tiwari and Alexander Duncan finished third and fourth respectively.
The final points standing reads: Loris Nathoo 6, Wendell Meusa 5½, Errol Tiwari 4½, Alexander Duncan, Shiv Nandalall and Chino Chung 4, David Khan and Pierre Boucher 3½, Glenford Corlette and Rodwell Poole 3 points each and Haatram Parbat 1 point.
In the junior category, Rashad Hussain took top honours ahead of Anthony Drayton and Saeed Ali, with both Hussain and Drayton finishing of 6½ points each, but Hussain had the better tiebreaker average.
The points standing for the juniors reads: Rashad Hussain and Anthony Drayton 6½, Saeed Ali 6, Khalid Gajraj and Raan Motilall 5½, Suhai Feng and Joshua Pedro 5, Davion Mars and Shane Yussuf 4½, Vaughn Moses, Roberto Neto and Avinash Kishun 4, Shane Rampertab 3½, while three other players were tied on 3 points.
Meanwhile, Yussuf was adjudged the Most Improve Player based on performance from previous tournaments.    
During the presentation, the Dr Tiwari expressed gratitude to Ramesh Sunich, owner of the Trophy Stall, who was the sole sponsor of the tournament.
Director of Sport Mr. Neil Kumar was on hand to present the prizes to the winners and applauded the GCF and Sunich for promoting chess and urged the GCF to continue the good work.
He also urged the junior players to prepare for the Inter-Guiana Games chess competition which will be held in Suriname later this year.