Marian Academy’s Ronan Lee got off to a super start in the Mae’s Mashramani U14 Chess Competition on Saturday at the Mae’s School auditorium, and now sits comfortably on 3 points after a rigorous day of play.
Ronan Lee is poised to take the U-14 title
Favoured to win the competition and represent Guyana on the Regional Stage at this year’s Junior CARIFTA Chess Championships, Lee overcame Matthew Spooner and Jacob Mc Donald after three rounds of play.
Trailing closely behind but also with 3 points is U12 National champion Kyle Couchman, who weeded out the competition in the U12 championships just a few weeks ago, and had registered a win over Ethan Persaud by close of play on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see whether Couchman can grab both the U12 and U14 accolades.
Neal Rodrigues, Adia Alphonso, Italy Ton Chung, Joel Wong and Mayas Khan of Marian Academy, along with Harmony Dodson and Omar Shariff of Mae’s, all sit on three points going into day two of the competition.
Riveting chess action in progress on Saturday
On two and a half points are Matthew Singh of Queen’s College and Emmanuel Primus and Joshua Khan of School of the Nations.
Alphonso and Dodson currently lead the field of female players, and are going head-to-head for the special ‘best female player’ accolade.
Saturday’s four rounds of action saw a bit of fireworks when Neal Rodrigues battled Kyle Couchman, Italy Ton Chung took on Joshua Khan, Marcus Hinds vied with Arysh Raghunauth, Jacob McDonald engaged Isabella Rodrigues, and William Escarraga took on Katara Rodrigues.
The Mae’s developmental tournament was hosted to boost the school’s chess programme and simultaneously scout talents for the upcoming CARIFTA Junior Chess Championships, which for the first time ever will be hosted in Guyana — from April 10-13, 2020. The tournament also seeks to boost the under-12 players by having them compete against their older under-14 counterparts.
At conclusion of the two-day action, prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third placed finishers; and special prizes will be awarded to the best female player, best under-12 player, and best under-10 player.
Three more rounds will be contested today at the school’s auditorium at 9-19 Third Avenue Subryanville, Georgetown.
