NATIONAL junior chess champion Anthony Drayton broke new ground in the final competition of 2012, organised by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), by entering and playing unbeaten in the senior category of the TOPCO Juices-sponsored One-Day Rapid Tournament last Sunday at the KEI-SHAR’S Sports Club.

Drayton announced his decision to participate in the senior category shortly before the tournament began and was joined by fellow junior Ron Motilall, who was the only player to draw a game with the eventual champion.
The junior champ, who also took home the senior trophy and cash prize, faced off with three senior players during the seven-round tournament which attracted 27 chess players, and saw Frankie Farley and Irshad Mohamad secure the second and third spots respectively behind him in the senior category.
Regular tournament player Roberto Neto secured first place in the junior category while Saeed Ali gained second and Ron Motilall copped third, as the three top juniors all ended on the same score but achieved their respective positions on the tie-break.
Saif Afroze gained fourth while Carlos Petterson earned the fifth position with Omar Grant being adjudged the Best Under-16 Player while Sheriffa Ali, the lone female participant, received a prize to that effect.
GCF president Shiv Nandalall urged the junior participants to take the bold initiative of stepping up their game and challenging the seniors as was done by Drayton. The distribution of prizes was done by Demerara Distillers Limited Sales Manager Alexis Langhorne who pledged her company’s commitment to the promotion of chess in the new year.
The points standing for the senior participants after seven matches reads: Anthony Drayton (6½), Frankie Farley and Irshad Mohamad 5 each, Alexander Duncan and Glenford Corlette 4 each, Chino Chung 3½ and Errol Tiwari and Alex Joseph 3 each.
The scores of the juniors read: Roberto Neto, Saeed Ali and Ron Motilall 5 each, Saif Afroze 4½ and Carlos Petterson, Davion Mars and Omar Grant 4 each.