Prize winners of the 2009 National Chess Champion-ships last Friday received their awards at a simple ceremony at Ramphal House, New Garden Street,  George-town. With an unbeaten record during the championships Senior Chess Champion Wendell Meusa received the first place trophy, compliments of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and a voucher worth $25,000 from TOPCO Juices red-eemable at Distribution Services Ltd.     Second place winner Ronuel Greenidge received a grocery hamper worth $15,000 while third place finisher Taffin Khan received a hamper worth $10,000.  Both second and third places were sponsored by the Neal & Massy Group of Companies. The other five participants including outgoing National Chess Champion, Berbician Kriskal Persaud were awarded trophies for their participation in the tournament. The junior category was won by Queen’s College student Cecil Cox who received the MCYS trophy and a cheque for $15,000, compliments of the Ramgopal family. Other trophies and all cash prizes for the junior players were sponsored exclusively for the second successive year by the Ramgopal family.  The lone female in  the championships, Crystal Khan of Stewartville Secondary School copped the second position and received a cheque for $9,000 plus a trophy.

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony poses with winners and participants of the recently-concluded National Chess Championships at the presentation ceremony held last Friday at Ramphal House.

Sham Khan of Tutorial High School was ranked third place among the juniors and he received a cheque for $6,000 and a trophy.      The remaining five junior players were awarded trophies for their participation. Eight junior and eight senior chess players participated in the tournament which ended recently. Sponsors who contributed to the success of the championships are the Ramgopal family, the Neal & Massy Group of Companies, Trophy Stall of Bourda Market, Ocean Spray Hotel, Topco Juice and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.