JOSHUA Gopaul played unbeaten to emerge champion of the seven-round National Junior Chess Qualifier at the weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

Young Gopaul notched up six wins and a draw to finish the competition as the only undefeated player, totalling 6.5 points. His draw came against Jaden Taylor.

Ethan Lee, whose only defeat came at the hands of Gopaul, took second spot with six points, followed by Ghansham Allijohn, Nellisha Johnson and Roshawn Washington all locked on five points each.

Taylor, Sasha Shariff and Dwayne Bess, with four points apiece, rounded out the top eight, who will contest the National Junior championship later this year.
The other point standings are as follows: Akili Theophil, Waveney Johnson and Savir Gookul also ended on four points, but did not make the cut after the tie breaker took effect.

Odit Rodrigues and Nickel Charles ended on three and a half, Rachael and Rebecca Ramlall, Runako Williams, John Wong, Joshua Williams all ended with three points apiece.
Andrew Ally had two and half points, while Chelsea Juma, Gareth Da Silva, Zackery Persaud and Alexander Ally ended on two points each.

A new champion will be crowned since the current champion, Saeed Ali, is ineligible to compete due to age factor.
Ali, though, can compete now in the senior category, and the qualifier for that segment will start this weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.