TAFFIN Khan marched his way to his fourth senior chess title when the curtains came down on the delayed 2020 edition of the National Closed Chess Championships at the Guyana National Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The 29-year-old Khan, who was favourite for the title after defeating 2019 champion, Anthony Drayton, in the second round of the seven-round event, ended the final unbeaten with a total of 6 ½ points. “I feel great winning back the national title, since I put a lot of preparation into winning.” Despite his dominance, Khan had to gain points against 2020 Rapid and Blitz champion, Davion Mars, in order to ensure that there was no playoff. Former champion and fellow Candidate Master, Wendell Meusa, would have forced a playoff had Mars defeated Khan, since he (Meusa) had gotten past Rai Sharma in his last round. With the victory by Khan, Meusa placed second in the competition with 5 ½ points, with Glenford Corlette in third on 4 ½ points after he drew his final clash.

Mars, who has never defeated Khan, was hoping that his December success in the faster versions of the game would have propelled him forward.
Although he held his own in the competition, including a win over FIDE Master, Drayton, he could not get the better of Khan in their clash.
Khan said that he played black and decided to open with the Nimzo-Indian Defence. He said that there were some tactics by both sides, but he managed to wrest some control towards the end.
“After the dust had settled down, I had two rooks, a bishop and four pawns versus a knight, bishop, rook, and four pawns by Mars. In the endgame, I managed to win a pawn and exchange a rook after Mars had to give up his knight for two pawns; after that he just lost everything and resigned.”
Eight of Guyana’s top players competed in the final.