DESPITE suffering an upset defeat in the sixth round to Roberto Neto a junior player, national senior chess champion Taffin Khan still managed to walk away with the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) organized, Trophy Stall-, sponsored Open Chess tournament which culminated at the Kei-shar’s Sports Club last Monday. Neto’s sixth round win materialised after Khan’s queen became entrapped, following a backfire on his plans, when he tried to invade Neto’s territory with his queen, only to see his opponent put up a stern defence, resulting in Khan losing his queen and subsequently the match.
Glenford Corlette and Maria Thomas, a Cuban residing on these shores, placed second and third respectively. Khan’s performance on the local chess scene has increased by leaps and bounds since he copped the national title from Learie Webster less than two years ago.
Khan finished the tournament on six points, one ahead of Corlette while Thomas chalked up 4½ points.
Former national junior champion Cecil Cox aggregated five points to cop the top position in the junior category ahead of Neto who with his surprise win over Khan, recorded 4½ points to claim the second spot.
Having been deadlocked with his sister Sherifa Ali and Dravin Drickpaul with four points each, Saeed Ali was awarded the third place in the junior category, having chalked up victories over both opponents, with Sherifa Ali placing fourth, Drickpaul fifth while Trenton Bennett a student of West Demerara Secondary, was awarded the Best Newcomer Trophy.