Thirteen-year-old Aditi Joshi has emerged as the winner of the Women’s Chess Qualifier tournament. The seven-round tournament concluded last Sunday at the National Racquet Center, Woolford Avenue, Georgetown. The event registered more than 20 female chess players, the youngest nine years old.
Joshi, the reigning National Under-14 female champion, performed excellently, completing the tournament with 6.5 points, conceding a single draw to her Queen’s College peer Ciel Clement in round 5. She managed to outmanoeuvre her more-established opponents Sasha Shariff and Shazeeda Rahim.
Joshi led the pack, with Shazeeda Rahim on 6 points and Ciel Clement, 5.5.
Treskole Archibald finished fourth with a final score of 4.5 followed by Parnita Kishun and 10-year-old Chelsea Harrison, both on 4. They were joined by Sasha Shariff, Nellisha Johnson and Emma John, who all finished on 3.5 points, to complete the group of nine who will challenge the current National Women’s Champion, Jessica Callender, for the title.
Ciel Clement
Callender, awaiting the tournament result, had these words to say, “Having won last year’s Championship with no losses and only two draws, I have set high expectations for myself heading into this year’s title defence. I recognise the incredible talent and dedication of all my competitors, and I am excited for the challenge this will bring.”
The top nine ladies who will be moving to the Women’s Championship rounds starting today are Aditi Joshi – 6.5 points; Shazeeda Rahim – 6 points; Ciel Clement – 5.5 points; Treskole Archibald – 4.5 points; Parnita Kishun – 4 points; Chelsea Harrison – 4 points; Sasha Shariff – 3.5 points; Nellisha Johnson – 3.5 points and Emma John – 3.5 points.
The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) congratulated the top nine contenders for advancing to the championship title round because of their exceptional play. The GCF also recognised the up-and-coming young players Kaija Clement and Angelina Yhap, who also gained 3.5 points but did not make it to the top nine because of the tie-break system in place. Other notable performers were Ann Doodnauth, nine-year-olds Saura Ruplall and Amaya Sharma, Gabriella Roderigues, 10-year-old Olivia Caesar, and Lusianna Farlot.
The Women’s Championship matches are scheduled for today and Sunday, April 28, May 1, May 4, and May 5, 2024.
Shazeeda Rahim
Diamond Fire and General Insurance Inc has sponsored the 2024 Women’s Qualifiers and the Women’s Championship tournaments.
The GCF wishes to thank Diamond Insurance for its incredible generosity towards the women in chess. These tournaments are part of the qualifying process for the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary in September this year.
Top performers will gain Grand Prix points from these tournaments and the 2024 Grand Prix Tourneys, which will be tallied and calculated to see who will make the top five for the Guyana female team. For more information on upcoming tournaments and to keep updated with player stat details, please visit our website at www.guyanachess.gy.
