Candidate Master Wendell Meusa and Attorney-at-Law Yolander Persaud emerged the category winners of the Guyana Chess Federation’s May Open- Clash of Champions tournament last weekend.
In the Male category, national coach and national champion CM Meusa took top honours with 5.5 points from seven games. The Swiss Manager chess programme placed Meusa ahead of Roberto Neto, who finished on 5.5 points as well.
Meusa went down in round six to Loris Nathoo in what was considered the game of the tournament. Both players played strongly and were in time trouble before Nathoo secured his point in a basic King and Pawn versus King end-game.
Neto also held Meusa to a good draw in a King’s pawn end. Neto with the Black pieces defended solidly and neutralised Meusa attacks with some simplifying exchanges, thus bring the end-game to a draw.
In the seventh round, Meusa, with the White pieces, went for the solid London System, but saw some stiff resistance from Calvin Giddings. Giddings, who missed a winning chance in the middle game, lost in the end-game as Meusa converted a small advantage in a good Knight and Rook versus Bad Bishop and Rook end-game.
Neto meanwhile, returned to chess tournaments with a solid performance. He defeated the in-form Glenford Corlette with some strategic chess and eventually a hidden combination blow after Corlette bravely sacked his Queen to forced checkmate in two.
Taking third overall was Corlette, who continues to show improvements in his game. Corlette took down Nathoo with some solid chess, pressing forward slowly to secure his win.
Even though he lost to Meusa and Neto, Corlette finished on five points, while Nathoo finished on 4.5, Calvin Giddings four, Davion Mars 3.5, while Marcelius and Pasqual Cornelius, Ghansham Allijohn and Jaden Taylor of St. Stanislaus College all finished on three points each. Saeed Ali ended on one point and 12-year-old Savir Gookul did not get off the mark.
In the Female segment, the experienced Yolander Persaud played undefeated in a double round-robin clash.
With FIDE Master Maria Thomas and Candidate Master Sherifa Ali opting for rest and examination, Persaud showed her dominance as she defeated Waveney Johnson, Chelsea Juma and Sasha Shariff (Juma and Shariff attended Carifta Chess Championships) twice with both colours as she booked her place in the females team for Batumi, Georgia.
They all finished on three points, but taking second was Chelsea Juma of St. Stanislaus College, followed by Sasha Shariff of Marian Academy and Waveney Johnson of Christ Church.
More chess tournaments will continue this week at St. Stanislaus College as Saints Chess Club, with assistance from Wendell Meusa Chess Foundation, Guyana Chess Federation and National Sports Commission host the third Saints Chess Championship.
This event is slated to run from May 17-19 and round one kicks off at 16:00h on the opening day. There will be two sections- an Invitational and Open.
The Invitational will see Guyana’s top juniors, including reigning junior champion Joshua Gopaul, Ghansham Allijohn, Jaden Taylor, Ethan Lee, Keon Scott, Akili Theophil and defending Saint champion Jorrell fighting to win.
The Open section is set to have other children from Saints Chess Club, Marian Acdemy Chess Club, Noah Gonzales of Mae’s School, Albouystown (Open Mind) Chess Club and Christ Church Secondary School Chess club.
This event is open to all children in primary and secondary schools. Interested persons can contact Wendell Meusa on 664-0124 for more Information.
