Lee, Gopaul going head to head as WMCF tournament continues
The Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation (WMCF) had promised seven rounds of scintillating chess from Guyana’s youngest players and it is safe to say that it has delivered on its promise.
The Kids Tournament was opened on July 31 and attracted the cream of the crop in the sport’s younger division.
Divided into two categories, advanced and beginner’s, the competition saw some expected wins and upsets which have set the momentum for the remaining four rounds.
In the beginner’s category, Angel Rahim and Sopia Singh are currently leading the charge with a perfect three wins from three matches. Rahim, who is a newbie on the chess scene, is making her mark with a series of ever-improving tactics. On the other hand, Singh is now finding herself again after a year off from the sport.
Cutting it close on two points are Mae’s Schools students Triston Singh and Kaiden Ali, alongside Joshua Khan of School of the Nations. Round four will be crucial to these lads as they are expected to meet each other. The results of these games could determine the ultimate winner of this tournament.
Making up the rest of the category are Alia and Asher Gafoor, Jibril Ali, Arysh Raghunauth, and Kyle and Rashad Gilgeous, who are all standing on one point. The students will be looking to make a shocking comeback in the remaining four rounds.
The advanced section, however, produced the most action on the first couple of days with National Junior Chess Champion Joshua Gopaul and potential champion Ethan Lee going head to head at the top of the points table.
Lee, whose superb playing began with the St Stanislaus Chess Championship, has registered big wins in the past couple of months and can now be deemed as the next Junior Champion. He is currently on a 24-game winning streak after he won the Marian Academy Chess Championship and a WMCF tournament just two weeks ago.
Entering the competition with confidence in his skills, Lee managed to sweep away his opponents with what could be described as excellent fighting victories. In round one, he met with former Saints Chess Champion Jorrel Troyer. After Troyer missed his winning chance, Lee made no mistakes with his as he forced his opponent to resign.
In the next round, he was matched up with upcoming talent Rajiv Lee of Queen’s College, who should have won after coming out the Scotch Opening with an advantage of a clear piece after Ethan Lee created a “self-pin”. To protect his Queen, Ethan Lee put one of his knights in a pin where it was then won by Rajiv Lee. But the determined Ethan Lee pressed dynamically in an open position, which saw Rajiv Lee falling to multiple tactical forks and double attacks.
Lee’s round three match was deemed the ‘match of the tournament’ when he played against Jaden Taylor. In a match excitingly similar to the final of the Saints Chess Championship held earlier this year, Ethan Lee produced a sharp Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation, but playing on the safe side he played the classical “quiet” line of castling kingside. On move 18, he shocked his opponent by putting his Rook “en prise” where it not only threatened to sack itself for a Knight, but also force mate in two. Two moves later, the confident Lee sacked another piece, this time his Bishop to break open his opponent’s King’s position; then his Queen, Knight and a pawn forced his opponent to resign by move 34.
Moderators of the tournament are patiently awaiting the match-up between Joshua Gopaul and Lee, which will definitely decide the championship even before the tournament is completely over.
Going into round four, there are four players namely Jaden Taylor, Savir Gookul, Ghansham Allijohn and young Ronan Lee who are all tied on two points each. Followed by Odit Rodrigues, Jonathan, Jorrel Troyer and Rajiv Lee, who all have one point each. Jessica Callender is yet to secure a point.
The final rounds of the competition will continue today at the University of Peace Studies on Sheriff Street, Campbellville. Viewers are welcomed.