Experienced junior Saeed Ali took a 0.5 point lead in the Sasha Cells National Junior Chess Championship 2016 after the completion of three rounds.
After taking a break from chess for his studies, Saeed returned to chess with some impressive games. In the second round, he played with the black pieces in a highly anticipated showdown against Roberto Neto. Neto once more turned to the Queens Gambit, and Saeed choose the Semi Slav variation as his defense. Neto was first to blunder, pushing for space advantage with c5 only to lose a pawn at the end of the variation. However, he managed a draw to salvage the half point.
In round three, Saeed showcased his experience and knowledge, playing the Queens Gambit this time with the white pieces against Nellisha Johnson. Nellisha choose the tactical Chigorin Defense, only to be outplayed by Saeed.
Neto, in second place, drew with Saeed, but let WCM Sherry Ali off the hook to claim another draw in the third round. Tournament favorite Roberto Neto opted for his weapon the Caro Kann Defense, whilst Sherry adopted the Breyer Variation. Unfortunately, she lost a piece quickly after misplaying the opening. She then pressed with some active play and open lines, and it was this under pressure that Neto failed to see a “basic fork” of his knights, and had to return the piece. By the endgame, both players played safely to secure half point each.
WCM Sherry Ali faced former QC student Aravinda Singh with the Black pieces in the second round, and the “Girl on Fire” was determined not to lose. In a Two Knight Defense Game, Aravinda weakened his Kingside with h3 & g4 to evade the Bg4-Nc3-Qd1 pin. WCM Ali bravely kept her King in the centre, and launched an early counter attack on the Kingside. The kingside and centre was the battlefield, and the two combatants played aggressively. However, Sherry had to settle for a draw after some accurate play by Aravinda.
Contending for the championship as well is Joshua Gopaul. In round two against Jaden Taylor he lost his queen “unbelievably” to a simple knight fork, deemed as a possible “blind spot” over sight, and immediately resigned.
In round three, he should have won a theoretical Philidor Rook Endgame but Aravinda Singh placed his Rook behind a pawn and earned himself another draw.
Other games saw Nellisha Johnson winning a possible drawn game on time against Ghansham Alijohn in a game which lasted for 70 plus moves. Ghansham later overthrew fellow club mate Jaden Taylor in another long Caro Kann game in round three.
Standings after three rounds.
1 Saeed Ali 2.5
2 – Roberto Neto. 2
3 – Sheriff’s Ali. 2
4 – Joshua Gopaul. 1.5
5 – Aravinda Singh. 1
6 – Ghansham Alijohn 1
7 – Jaden Taylor. 1
8 – Nellisha Johnson 1
Round four and five are shedule for tomorrow at the Ocean Spray Hotel from 10 am.
