Joshua Gopaul wins Junior Chess Qualifier

Joshua Gopaul played unbeaten to emerge champion of the seven-round National Junior Chess Qualifier at the weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.

Young Gopaul notched up six wins and a draw to finish the competition as the only undefeated player, totalling 6.5 points. His draw came against Jaden Taylor.

Ethan Lee, whose only defeat came at the hands of Gopaul, took second spot with six points, followed by Ghansham Allijohn, Nellisha Johnson and Roshawn Washington all locked on five points each.

Taylor, Sasha Shariff and Dwayne Bess, with four points apiece, rounded out the top eight, who will contest the National Junior championship later this year. A new champion would be crowned since the current champion, Saeed Ali, is ineligible to compete due to age factor. 

Ali though can compete now in the Senior category, and the qualifier for that segment will start this weekend at the National Aquatic Centre, Liliendaal.