Guyana Chess Federation Senior National Qualifiers
The action in the Guyana Chess Federation’s Senior National Qualifiers at the National Resource Center, Woolford Avenue on Sunday afternoon, Candidate Master (CM), Taffin Khan, WFM Maria Varona-Thomas, CM Anthony Drayton, Davion Mars, Calvin Giddings and Chino Chung ended the second day on two points apiece.
Senior chess players concentrating on their game at the National Resource Centre
Mars made light work of Jaden Taylor in his first sitting before setting his sights and disposing Shazeeda Rahim in his second match. Meanwhile, Giddings defeated Joshua Ferdinand in the morning session and then returned in the afternoon to snatch a win from Joshua Gopaul. Chung’s first victim was Akili Theophil as he moved in to conquer Rashad Hussain in the second match as CM Khan disposed of both of his opponents, Aravinda Singh and Roberto Neto.
These wins ensured that the players were all tied at the top of the bunch on two points each.
Singh then bounced back to snare a victory from Kriskoff Persaud as Anthony Drayton, also a former junior chess champion, defeated Joshua Gopaul and veteran player, David Khan to remain in contention.
Gopaul surrendered his second game to Giddings while Khan repaired the damage of his loss to Drayton with a win over Nellisha Johnson.
Woman Candidate Master (WCM), Varona-Thomas benefitted from a bye in the first sitting before extending her tally to two points in the second sitting by defeating Frankie Farley. Farley won his first game against Andre Jagnandan and Rahim won from Jessica Callender.
The tournament is being competed on a round robin format and will resume this week. The organizers said that the current venue will be unavailable and they are scouting a replacement before ascertaining the next playing days.
Meusa, who recently secured his transfer from Barbados Chess Federation to the local entity, will aspire to retain the crown for the third time. He has chalked up a FIDE rating of 1967 and is the highest local FIDE rated player.
