Marian Academy captures National Schools Chess Championship

Dec 16, 2008 Sports

Winners display their rewards, while Sports Minister Dr. Frank Anthony (centre back row) share the moment.

“We need chess in the schools where the students can be active. We will have workshops for teachers in the schools. We have a lot of schools in Guyana and that is why we want to see the game played.

Two years ago we were talking about the resuscitation of chess in schools and we must start now,” those were the words of the Honorable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony at the opening of the National Schools Chess Championship last Saturday.

The tournament started with thirteen schools registering for the competition; St. Stanislaus College, Queens College, Port Mourant Secondary, Berbice High School, JC Chandisingh, Comprehensive High, New Amsterdam Multilateral, Mackenzie High School, Marian Academy, Dolphin Secondary, West Demerara Secondary, Stewartville Secondary and the lone Primary School, Winfer Garden.

In Group ‘A’ action, the tournament was changed to a round robin due to the only ten players participating.
Khalid Gajraj of Marian Academy took top honours for his schools as he played undefeated to finish with seven wins and two draws to secure eight points, second was Javed Baksh of Queen’s College with eight points, but had to settle for second based on the Berger Tie Breaker System.

Queen’s College’s Rashad Hussain, Devendra Singh and Cecil Cox took third, fourth and fifth respectively, while sixth went to Sheriffa Ali of Winfer Garden Primary School.

Group ‘B’ had the largest attendance with thirty six players battling for supremacy. Only three females competed amongst thirty three males, Crystal Khan (who is the sister of the Junior National Champion Taffin Khan) of Stewartville Secondary School played unbeaten to capture the Group ‘B’ title.

Her toughest challenge came against the Mackenzie High students; she eventually took the lead from Jason Barnwell of Mackenzie High after defeating him in round six and never looked back.

Queen’s William Holder took second. Jason Barnwell, Alex Singh and Delon Wills of Mackenzie took third, fourth and fifth respectively, while sixth went to Rondell Douglas of Queen’s College.

The Honorable Minister in his closing statement encouraged the players to spread the game to at least five persons in their school and not to be selfish.

The tournament was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and coordinated by the Guyana Chess Federation.