Persaud retains National Chess title

Dec 02, 2008 Sports

Taffin Khan captures junior crown

Kriskal Persaud

Berbician Kriskal Persaud retained his title after the National Chess Championship came to a close on Sunday at the Ocean Spray International Hotel.

When play resumed last Saturday, Persaud found himself third in the standings trailing by half of a point. After suffering his worse loss of the tournament to David Khan in just twenty moves in their first encounter, Persaud returned to claim the second.

In other games, Dillon defeated Farley, Greenidge and Nathoo played to a draw and Tiwari defeated Shariff to maintain his lead heading into round thirteen.

In the afternoon session, Shariff defeated Farley, Dillon loss to Persaud, Khan went down to Greenidge and in a key encounter with the leader, Nathoo defeated Tiwari, this enable Persaud to take the lead by half of a point heading into the final round.

In the final round the title was still open, as there was a possibility for Greenidge to claim the most prestigious title in chess in Guyana. This mean, should Persaud lose to Farley and Greenidge win against Dillon, the title would go to Greenidge.

As the final round began, Greenidge hopes almost came true, as Persaud found himself down a rook. Farley with a rook and three pawns versus three pawns was unable to secure a win and settled for a draw. Greenidge defeated Dillon and Khan defeated Tiwari.

The final points standing, Kriskal Persaud and Ronuel Greenidge, nine and a half points, (Persaud won the title on the Berger tie breaker system) Loris Nathoo nine points, David Khan and Errol Tiwari eight and a half, Omar Shariff five, Dennis Dillon three and a half and Frankie Farley two and a half.

The junior title was already decided since the previous weekend, as Taffin Khan was uncatchable, even if he had lost his final three games.

The battle was on for second between Cox and Gajraj, who had to settle for a draw in their final game on Saturday. In Sunday action, Cox defeated Hussain to secure the second position, while Ali defeated Gajraj to take the third position.

The final points standing: Taffin Khan fourteen, Cecil Cox eight and a half, Saeed Ali eight, Khalid Gajraj seven and a half, Rashad Hussain six, Sham Khan five, Devendra Singh four and Kana Khan on three.

A number of persons contributed towards the successful hosting of the National Chess Championships by the Guyana Chess Federation.

Among them; Telephone giant GT&T who contributed the first prize for the seniors, while the Ramgopaul family – Moti, Mahendra and Laleshwar, former chess players from Queen’s College and Guyana scholars also – sponsored the entire junior segment of the tournament.

Taffin Khan

The federation wishes to thank Mr Clinton Urling for providing the tasty lunches from German’s restaurant for the players. DDL provided the sodas and Topco juices.

Managing Director of the Ocean Spray Hotel, Mr Shameer Mohamed, extended a golden hand to the federation by allowing the use of his facilities free of cost, as he did last year.

Mr Stanford Solomon of King’s Plaza did the same, just as he also did last year, thereby allowing us to play at two pleasant and notable venues in the city. The federation expressed pleasure at being afforded these privileges.

Mr Shamdas Kirpalani of Regent Street, provided the cloth for the banners, while Swiss House Cambio graciously consented to have them painted.

The federation also wishes to thank all of them and the others who have not been mentioned for the conduct of the National Championships.

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