Wendell Meusa triumphs

May 07, 2009 Sports

Keron Simon

Twenty-one-year-old, Wendell Meusa rebounded from a 5th round defeat to National Champion, Kriskal Persaud and amassed 7 points to claim the first position when the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF), in collaboration with DDL/Topco Fruit Juice, Independence Chess tournament concluded at the Keishar’s Sports Club, Hadfield Street, Sunday evening last.

Loris Nathoo, who suffered a loss to Meusa in the 1st round registered 6 1/2 points to finish in second place while Persaud, who was ahead of the pack on 4 1/2 points at the end of the fifth round, faltered to finish on 6 points, to occupy the final podium position.
Treasurer of the GCF, Shiv Nandalall scored 5 1/2 points to occupy the 4th spot, while President of the GCF, Errol Tiwari, Tournament Director, Irshad Mohamed, Neil Khan and Michael Pereira each scored 5 points apiece and ended up in the 5th place.

Sham Khan scored an impeccable 8 points to take the junior crown while four other players, Rashad Hussain, Krystal Khan, Sheriffa Ali and Saeed Ali, all registered 5 points apiece to jumble in the second place.
Senior player, Irshad Mohammed, was eventually awarded the prize for the most improved player, while Kieron Simon received the award for the most improved junior player. The top position for the juniors was

Wendell Meusa (left) claims championship honours from GCF President Errol Tiwari.

occupied by Sham Khan while Krystal Khan finished in the third place. Tiwari commended the various winners as well as the participants in general for the discipline and commitment demonstrated during the tournament. He also informed them that the local Federation has embarked on a programme to arrange constant competitions in order to enhance the performance of its membership.

“Naturally, more competition will serve to improve the standard of play,” Tiwari opined. He also offered special commendations to Meusa while urging him to guard against complacency. “The standard exhibited at the competition should warn us that no one can truly boast of overwhelming his competitor,” Tiwari warned. “Don’t give up and eventually you will be adequately rewarded.”

The GCF President next acknowledged the input of tournament sponsor, Demerara Distillers Ltd. “The DDL has been a very good friend of chess,” he noted. The beverage company has sponsored two tournaments last year and has committed to sponsorship for three other tournaments this year, inclusive of the just concluded one.
Meanwhile, Loris Nathoo has donated his monetary winnings for the second spot to the players in the junior category. He also donated a monetary prize for the most improved junior player.