… Kids Chess Challenge set for this weekend

CANDIDATE Master (CM) Taffin Khan remains flawless heading into the last three rounds of the Gaico Construction-sponsored Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Fide-rated seven-round Swiss tournament, which will conclude this weekend at the National Racquet Centre in Woodford Avenue, Georgetown.

After four rounds, Khan, who had been a dominant force at both the junior and senior levels, remains on top with four points. In his latest clash, on Wednesday afternoon, he defeated the previously unbeaten Loris Nathoo.

Last weekend, the CM had beaten Chelsea Juma and Justino DaSilva and gained a walkover victory from former National Schools champion Saeed Ali.
Also unbeaten are CM Wendell Meusa and Glenford Corlette with 3.5 points each. Both players won last Saturday and then on Sunday morning, but they drew their game on Sunday afternoon. On Wednesday afternoon, Corlette got the better of Errol Tiwari, while Meusa defeated youngster Samirah Gobin.

Of the 27 players, several are on three points, including Nathoo, Adrian Roopnarine (who has returned to competitive chess in Guyana after many years), DaSilva and Davion Mars.
Ethan Lee and Shiv Nandalall are on 2.5 points each.

Meanwhile, GCF will be hosting a Beacon Café-sponsored, two-day, seven-round Swiss competition, dubbed ‘Kids Chess Challenge’ at the same venue over the weekend.
The event, which has a time control of one hour plus 15 seconds per player, attracts $500 per participant and is open to all persons born in 1999 or after.

Players desirous of registration can contact Rashad Hussain 681-6000 or Davion Mars 610-3345 for further information.
According to Secretary of the GFC, Aneesa Maryam Hussain, a number of the junior players have opted out of the remaining rounds of the Gaico tournament to play in the children’s competition.

She said that as a result, the final three rounds of the Open tournament is expected to be more competitive.
“We are also expecting at least five players to have an international partial rating upon conclusion of this tournament due to them already defeating an internationally rated player in this tournament. Standout is Roopnarine who has already won 3 of his first four rated games.”

The senior tournament is the first of four Grand Prix competitions, this year, scheduled by the new GCF executive.