Front runner Sham Khan will be looking to extend his lead when the fifth round of the Sasha Cells national Junior Chess Championships takes place today at the Kei-Shar’s Sports Club on Hadfield Street from 5pm.
Khan last week-end surged into the lead with three and a half points after the first four rounds of the seven-round Closed competition played at Olympic House.
Khan, who had won the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Topco Juice qualifiers, got off to a brilliant start by snatching a victory over the defending champion Cecil Cox.
He is followed by Ron Motilall on three points while Raan Motilall, Sue-Hai Feng, and Rashad Hussein are on two points each. Carlos Petterson is on one and a half points, while Ryan McKay is yet to gain a point.
Khan’s shocking defeat of Cox was the highlight of the second round after earlier defeating Petterson in their first round clash.
Khan subsequently defeated McKay in the third round before being held to a draw by Raan Motiall in their fourth round clash despite Khan being a knight up.
Ron Motilall’s three points came from draws with his brother Raan and Feng and wins against Hussain and Mc Kay.
Cox has managed only one win so far winning his first round match against Mc Kay and drawing with Raan Motilall and Feng.
Feng opened with a win against Hussain while Hussain secured wins over McKay and Petterson.
Today, however, Khan will have the black pieces against Feng who is a dangerous customer.
In today’s other fixtures, Raan Motilall will have the white pieces against Mc Kay; Cox will have the black pieces against Hussain and Ron Motilall will have the advantage of the white pieces against Petterson.
According to Tournament Director, Irshad Mohammed, the final two rounds will be played on Saturday at Olympic House.