The University of Guyana’s (UG) Andre Jaganadan won the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) junior qualification tournament held recently.
Jaganandan edged Ghansham Alijohn on the progressive ratings tiebreak system after both players ended on six points from seven matches, a press release from Tournament Director Irshad Mohammed stated.
In the final rounds held last Sunday, Jaganandan defeated Savir Gookul and Ethan Lee in rounds five and six. His only defeat came at the hands of Queen’s College’s Rajiv Lee.
Allijohn scored convincing wins over Sasha Shariff, Gookul and Ronan Lee in his last three matches.
He, however, lost to Jaganandan on time in a slightly better position, the release stated.
Rajiv Lee secured third place with a draw against higher ranked Jaden Taylor and wins against Nellisha Johnson and Jaganandan.
Rising star Chelsea Juma of St Stanislaus showed why she is the number one ranked U-14 female Guyanese player in the World Chess Federation player rankings by winning all three of her matches Sunday.
She defeated Christ Church’s Akili Theophil and UG student Aravinda Singh in rounds five and six.
In round seven, she produced a Bishop sacrifice which led to mate in six against her opponent Odit Rodriguez to secure her spot in the top seven.
Also making the cut were St. Stanislaus College’s 6th Form student Jarell Troyer and his schoolmate Jaden Taylor. Finishing seventh was Ethan Lee of Marian Academy.
Gookul who was in second place going into the final day lost his last three games and was eliminated while last year’s qualifiers such as Odit Rodriguez, Ronan Lee, Nellisha Johnson and Sasha Shariff failed to qualify.
Newcomer Samira Gobin of Al Ghazali Islamic School finished above chess Olympians Johnson and Juma, while eight year-old Arysh Raghunauth took the prize for the game of the tournament.
The best U12 boys were Noah Rahaman and Jacob Mc Donald.
The seven players who will be playing against current junior champion Joshua Gopaul in the Closed National championships are: – Jagnandan, Allijohn, Rajiv Lee, Juma, Troyer, Taylor and Ethan Lee.
