Wendell Meusa maintains lead in National Chess Championship

Nov 04, 2009 Sports

Wendell Muesa continues to distinguish himself as a top chess player even amidst the country’s best, including national Champion, Kriskal Persaud.

The young player has progressed admirably in the National Chess Championship currently underway at the Ocean Spray Hotel, Public Road and Stanley Place Kitty.

Wendell Muesa and Chino Chung (right) in action.

Meusa is now comfortably in control on eight points, three points ahead of his nearest competition, Taffin Khan and Ronuel Greenidge, both on five points apiece each.

Meusa defeated Khan and Chino Chung in round five and six respectively while Omar Shariff defeated Learie Webster. Brian Thompson then got the better of Chino Chung even as National Champion Kriskal Persaud continued to experience mixed fortunes. He suffered his third loss in a row to Ronuel Greeidge in round five but bounced back to defeat Shariff in round six.

Persaud’s ecstasy was short lived as shortly afterwards he dropped a game to former junior champion Taffin Khan. In the other matches Webster defeated Chung while Meusa defeated Thompson. Shariff and Greenidge played to a draw one round before Meusa continued his dominance with an eight round victory over Greenidge.

Other winners in round eight were, Thompson over Webster, Persaud against Chung while Khan got the better of Shariff. The points standing after eight rounds are: Wendell Meusa (8), Taffin Khan and Ronuel Greenidge (5 each), Kriskal Persaud (4), Omar Shariff (31/2), Learie Webster (3), Brian Thompson (21/2) while Chino Chung remains in the cellar on one point.

Meanwhile, the battle for honours in the junior category at the Olympic House, Queenstown, remains fierce with three players separated by a mere point each.

Cecil Cox handed tournament favourite, Saeed Ali his first defeat of the tournament and both players are leveled on six points apiece. Sham Khan is closely behind on five points. The other points standing after eight rounds are: Cecil Cox and Saeed Ali (6 points each), Sham Khan (5 points), Crystal Khan and Rashad Hussain (4 points each), Kana Khan and Raan Motilall (21/2 points each) while Stanley Ming (Jr.) is on one point.

The tournament continues this Saturday at the Ocean Spray Hotel for the seniors, while the juniors contest at the Olympic House.

The junior category is sponsored exclusively by the Ramgopal Family, while the Senior Category is sponsored by Neal and Massy Group of Companies, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market and DDL Distillers.