Lee continues winning streak at Marian Chess Championships

In order to continue their mandate in the Chess in Schools initiative, The Marian Academy Chess Club concluded one of their termly chess competitions over the past weekend. The institution, which has a thriving chess club, seeks to develop their students’ academically through the sport.
With a total of 57 students (19 from the Primary Department & 38 from the Secondary Department), the first piece was moved at 9am using the competitive FIDE (World Chess Federation) tournament rules and regulations.
Expectantly, Ethan Lee continued on a marvellous stint, whilst William Escarraga topped the primary section with 6 wins from 6 draws, to take the title from Ronan Lee.
In the primary competition, William Escarraga, who lost only one game, defeated his opponents convincingly with superb tactical combinations and mating patterns. Finishing in second place was Louis DaSilva, who tied on 6 points with Escarraga but had to settle for the number 2 spot because of the Swiss system, since Da Silva lost to Escarraga. Emerging in 3rd place was Bradley Walton, who continues to show great improvement, especially when he won against Ronan Lee on time control playing for numerous stalemate patterns in an expectedly losing position.
The Secondary Department had a much more scintillating competition, with a number of experienced national players vying for the top spot. The ever improving Ethan Lee was out to win from the first encounter. After finishing 4th in this year’s National Junior Chess Championship, Lee had a good tournament at the CARIFTA Chess Championships in Paramaribo, Suriname, and he also took the St Stanislaus College Chess Championships this year.
Playing confidently, Lee had a loss-free scorecard, winning 7 out of 7 games played, to be crowned the Marian Academy Chess Champion.
Lee defeated National elected female player Sasha Shariff in a much anticipated showdown that was played right down to a fantastic endgame from both parties. However, he was too tactical for the young female sensation Sasha, who eventually took the best female prize in the secondary department. Taking second place was another player who participated in this year’s National Junior Chess Championship. Roshawn Washington finished on 5.5 points, ahead of Odit Rodrigues, Sasha Shariff, Bradley Walton, Joel Wong and Jamal Lanndery respectively who all finished on 5 points.