AFTER three rounds, senior players Loris Nathoo and Maria Thomas are jointly leading the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF)-organised, Uniparts Senior Chess Championship 2012 Qualifiers which got under way last weekend at the Kei-Shar’s Sports Club.

Former National senior champion Kriskal Persaud of Berbice is closely behind the two top leaders who have not lost an encounter.
Round Four is set for tomorrow afternoon in which Nathoo and Thomas are expected to meet in a tense encounter. The result of that match may well determine sole leader of the tournament.
The points standing after three rounds reads: Loris Nathoo and Maria Thomas – three points each, Kriskal Persaud – two and a half points; Frankie Farley, Craig Sylvester, Alexander Duncan and Glenford Corlette – two points each, Roberto Neto and Haatram Parbat one and a half each while six other players are on one point each or less.
Seven players have the opportunity to qualify for the 2012 National Senior Championship and challenge reigning senior champion Taffin Khan.
Currently, fifteen chess players are participating, among them past president of the GCF, Errol Tiwari, newly crowned 2012 junior champion Anthony Drayton and fellow junior Roberto Neto.