Zhang, John dominate Readymix U14 Chess Championships

Nicholas Zhang and Emma John dominated the competition in their respective categories in the Readymix Concrete-sponsored National Under-14 Chess Tournament, played on Sunday, January 26, at School of the Nations at 41-42 New Market Street in Georgetown.

Their stellar performances resulted in them being standouts in this tournament, hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF).
This tournament was marked by intense competition among the 71 junior chess players – 43 boys and 28 girls – who participated in the seven rounds of rapid chess. Time control for each game was 20 minutes, with a 5-second increment added after the first move; and sharp tactical play and endurance were required of the players.

In a demonstration of brilliance, Zhang scored 61.5 points to secure the championship title in the Open division.
This young player has been on the chess scene for several years, and has won many awards, but this is the first championship title he has secured.
Zhang claimed easy victories over his opponents, and his half-point resulted from a draw with young Julian Mohabir.
Alek Ubaldo-Singh was a strong contender for the title, but came in second with 6 points after losing his game to Zhang. Julian Mohabir finished in third position with 51.5 points, after losing to Ubaldo-Singh and drawing with Zhang.
Emma John won the Girls Under 14 Championship title by securing 61.5 points after decimating six of her opponents. Her last game was against Under 12 Champion Kataleya Sam, and it ended in a draw.
Saura Ruplall came in 2nd place with 6 points, her only loss being to John; while Lusianna Farlot secured third with 51.5 points, having lost to John and drawn with Sam.
Special trophy prizes were awarded to the Best Under 12 players in both the Open and Girls divisions, Abel Fernandez and Kataleya Sam being respective recipients thereof.
The ‘Best Under 10 Player’ prizes went to Aiden Tinnie and Amaya Sharma, while the ‘Best U8 Player’ prizes were awarded to Maya Khan and Landon Mohabir.
Medals were awarded to the second and third placers in the U10 and U8 categories in both divisions. In the Open division, Jeremiah Jacobs and Yan Wen Chen won second and third respectively in the U10 category.

Amy Ramphal and Divya Persaud won respective second and third places in the Girls’ competition. Avin Ramphal and Pranav Suman finished second and third respectively in the U-8 Open division. Siblings Michaela and Malia Thompson took home the second and third-place medals in the U8 Girls category.
Trophies and medals were presented to top performers at the prize-giving ceremony that marked the end of an exciting day of chess.
The GCF encourages young players to live engaged, and continue honing their competencies in chess for upcoming national tournaments.
The match highlighted the growing depth of talent in Guyana’s junior chess scene, with players demonstrating strong tactical focus and aggressive spirit. Participants came from various schools in and around Georgetown, including Bishops’ High School, Christ Church Secondary, Diamond Secondary, Dolphin Secondary, Marian Academy, New Guyana School, Queen’s College, Queenstown Secondary, Richard Ishmael Secondary, St. Stanislaus College, and the School of the Nations.
The Guyana Chess Federation hereby expresses its deepest gratitude to Readymix Concrete Limited for its sponsorship of the event, and to the School of the Nations for providing the venue for the tournament.