Shariff, Raghunauth lead National U12 chess c/ships

Participants of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) National U12 championships at the School of Nations yesterday.
Participants of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) National U12 championships at the School of Nations yesterday.

Mae’s students Omar Shariff and Arysh Raghunauth lead the point’s standings with the maximum four points after four rounds of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Choco Moo National Under 12 chess championships yesterday at the School of the Nations.

The tournament, which has attracted some 37 players including nine females from Marian Academy, Mae’s Under 12, New Guyana School, School of the Nations and the Tuschen Deaf Academy, was watched by a number of interested parents and relatives.

Former President of Guyana Samuel Hinds, was also there to see his grandson Marcus Hinds in action.

Eight players lie joint third on three points. They are, Kyle Couchman, Marian Academy,

 Marcus Hinds, Marian Academy,

 Logan Simpson, New Guyana School,

Alexander Zhang, School of Nations,

 Micaiah Enoe, Marian Academy,

 Mayas Khan, Marian Academy, Adelia Seckle,   Marian Academy and Nicholas Zheng, School of Nations.

The best female player so far is Marian Academy’s Seckle who has three points.

 After the four completed rounds, Mae’s with nine points are in the lead followed by Marian Academy on five points and New Guyana School with one point.

The competition continues this morning from 10am with three more rounds and the presentation of prizes will take place upon the completion of the event.

Apart from the tournament champion, prizes will also be given to the runner-up, the best female player and the youngest player.

There is also an arbiters’ prize.

The Tournament Director is national female player Nellisha Johnson and a number of national players in Anthony Drayton and Taffin Khan along with Rai Sharma, served as arbiters yesterday.

A release from the organisers, stated that they would like to thank the School of Nations for,”allowing us use their amazing facilities to have this tournament, and also for their commitment to our Chess in Schools initiative. Ms. White, the Headmistress has re-iterated her commitment to chess and recognises the real value this game has in the development of the minds of the young.”