WEST Demerara resident Learie Webster and Rashad Hussain of Mae’s Secondary School both secured first place finishes in the senior and junior category of the Guyana Chess Federation-organised TEXACO BEL AIR-sponsored one-day Rapid Chess tournament which was played last Sunday at the West Demerara Secondary School. Webster lost his first match to Glenford Corlette of Georgetown but recovered swiftly to win all of his remaining seven matches in the eight-round competition, while Hussain secured the top spot among the juniors with five wins.
Shiv Nandalall placed second among the seniors with six wins, Irshad Mohamad came in third with five wins, one loss and two draws, while former national champion Kriskal Persaud scored five wins and two losses to secure fourth place.
Among the juniors, Anthony Drayton secured second place with four wins, two losses and two draws while current national junior champion Ron Motilall finished third in the tournament.
The venue was approved by the Board of Governors of the West Demerara Secondary School, to which the GCF extends its heartfelt thanks to both entities for making the tournament a success.
The points standings for the 25 players after eight rounds are as follows: Senior category Learie Webster (7), Shiv Nandalall and Irshad Mohammed (6), Kriskal Persaud (5.5), Roy Sharma, Chino Chung and Pierre Boucher (5), Glenford Corlette and Maria Thomas (4), Alexander Duncan (3.5) and Alex Joseph (1.5).
In the Junior category: Rashad Hussain (5.5), Anthony Drayton (5), Ron and Raan Motilall (4.5), Saeed Ali and Joshua Pedro (4), Roberto Nero, Haresvera Persaud and Sandip Gonsalves (3.5), Kana Khan, Sherifa Ali and Yoganand Persaud (3), Davion Mars (2.5) and Ganesh Persaud (2).