NATIONAL senior chess champion Taffin Khan has successfully defended his title, drawing two matches and losing no games following the conclusion of the rigorous Dr Chase Senior Chess Championship last Sunday at the Ocean Spray Hotel. He retained his title while Shiv Nandalall finished second and Loris Nathoo came in third and Maria Thomas, the lone female player, placed fourth.
Khan drew his matches with Nathoo earlier in the tournament and Nandalall in the final round on Sunday. Thomas, who was jointly leading the tournament with Nandalall suffered three straight losses over the weekend to Nandalall, Khan and Nathoo, dashing all hopes of gaining supremacy.
Nandalall led the tournament up to round five then committed a huge blunder and lost his match with Craig Sylvester on the final day. Sylvester obtained a crushing attack on Nandalall’s king, forcing checkmate. Nandalall’s reduced score made his chances of winning the title more difficult.
The seven players vying for the 2012 title of national senior chess champion were Shiv Nandalall, Loris Nathoo, Maria Thomas, Frankie Farley, Craig Sylvester, Glenford Corlette and Kriskal Persaud.
Each contender encountered the defending champion and each other in the seven-round single round-robin tournament.
The final points standings read: Taffin Khan six, Shiv Nandalall and Loris Nathoo five-and-a-half each, Maria Thomas four, Frankie Farley and Craig Sylvester three each, Glenford Corlette one and Kriskal Persaud remained in the cellar with straight losses or failing to show up for his matches.
The presentation of prizes to the participants in both the National Junior and Senior Championships will take place at a date to be announced.