Anthony Drayton outplayed his six opponents over two weekends of magnificent chess and captured his first ever national title.
Drayton’s opponents were no novices, as each of the six had succeeded in the pre-qualification process. They had earned their places.
The most vital match of the championship was the Drayton-Taffin Khan clash since both men are about evenly matched in FIDE rating points. During their encounter, Drayton methodically overpowered Khan with some carefully orchestrated moves to engineer his defeat and, subsequently, emerge victorious in the championship.
The previous national champion Wendell Meusa chose not to participate in the National Chess Champ-ionship. Tongues are wagging as to the reasons for his absence. I cannot understand why Meusa refused to play. However, whatever his reasons were, I am of the considered opinion they do not hold water. For example, the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) sought its utmost to accommodate Meusa. Rather than including another player from the National Qualifier table, the GCF left a space open for Meusa although it was believed he would not participate anyhow.
Drayton has issued a challenge to Meusa for a match publicly on television. He said he was willing to play nine or ten games according to Meusa’s wishes. Now the ball is in Meusa’s court. Will he accept the challenge?
In the National Champ-ionship Loris Nathoo placed third, followed by Kriskal Persaud, Roberto Neto, Shiv Nandalall and Saeed Ali. The Champion-ship turned out to be a brutal one and only Drayton played flawlessly. Obvi-ously, he’s been studying chess and playing on the internet.
Meanwhile, the 2019 Women’s Chess Champ-ionship has started at the Racquet Centre in Woolford Avenue. Maria Varona-Thomas is in the lead.
