Saeed Ali wins National Junior Chess C/ships

Having played undefeated in the tournament, 19 year old Saeed Ali was crowned the Sasha Cells National Junior Chess Champion when the tournament concluded on Saturday at the National Resource Centre, Woolford Avenue.
With a win needed by Robert Neto to stop Ali in his tracks, Neto could only produce a draw as Ali lead round four.

Round five saw Saints Chess player, Joshua Gopaul using a solid French Defence with black pieces against e4 but after 3.Nc3 he went for a sharp Tarrasch Variation.
After a brilliant combo Gopaul was a piece up and attacking, unfortunately for the youngster, he touched a piece and was forced to move it according to the laws of chess. Returning the minor piece, he seemed depressed and immediately played a set of weak moves that Ali pounced on and launched a successful counter attack.
Ali went up against Ghansham Allijohn, with this game seeing a solid Queens Gambit Decline, Orthodox Variation and both players played theoretically until Allijohn lost a pawn and eventually the game on time.
Ali sealed of his championship title against Jaden Taylor of Saints as well in style. Playing the black pieces in a Bishop opening, Ali quickly equalized and got the initiative. This saw impressive tactical play from Ali forcing his opponent to resign by move 24.
Tournament favourite Roberto Neto took 2nd place easily by first defeating Allijohn with his pet, Caro Kann Defense. Neto out played his opponent in the middle game and once more under time pressure Allijohn blundered a piece and soon after resigned.
In the sixth round, Neto played against Jaden Taylor who used the aggressive Sicilian Defense Dragon Variation going after the win. Neto played the classical line of castling Kingside instead of the super aggressive Queenside castling.
Nevertheless, Kingside castling do have tactical teeth which Taylor learnt the hard way. Forks was the teeth of this game and Neto was clearly two pieces up by move 20 forcing resignation.
In the seventh round, Neto played his toughest match of the tournament against inspiring Aravinda Singh. This game lasted a while right down to an impressive endgame. It was King, Rook and Pawn (h) vs. King, Took and Two pawns (f &d). This endgame will be published in our upcoming magazine but Neto found the right plan to place his Took more actively to defend the past h pawn and support his own. Showcasing why he earned the reserved spot of the National Team Neto made his opponent resigned.
WCM Sheriffa Ali took 3rd outplayed Nellisha Johnson in a Guicco Piano Opening in round 5. Round 6 she won by default against Joshua Gopaul. WCM Ali conquered Allijohn with the black pieces in an exchange Philidor Defense to seal 3rd place.
Taking 4th place was Singh. In round 5 he convincingly defeated Baden Taylor in another Bishop Opening. With the Black pieces he opted for the Sicilian Defense and we saw a Closed Variation against Johnson. This was a long game as Singh took a while to convert his small advantages.