The final battle to decide T&T’s national chess champion 2016 begins on October 11 at RHAND Credit Union Society in Port-of-Spain, starting at 3 pm.
Although 20-year-old Vishnu Singh will not be defending his title, following his unexplained withdrawal, the ten-round contest still promises to be a fascinating affair with a majority of formidable veterans keen on writing their names in the history books again or for the first time. FM Ryan Harper, of course, is the most accomplished among them, having won the national championship seven times. FM Frank Yee, a formidable campaigner, is going for his second title and so too is Anderson Gordon who hopes to crown his comeback after a first title win several years ago.
Also in the veterans’ camp are CM Frank Sears, FM Mario Merritt, David Christopher and Hayden Lee, prominent campaigners, each capable of scoring their first championship win. Between the seniors and the juniors are two formidable contenders, Adrian Winter Atwell and CM Kevin Cupid. And ably representing the juniors are FM Joshua Johnson, Mahendra Singh and Dev Soondarsingh who won the play-off to fill the spot vacated by the champion. The three talented youngsters will provide a double interest, first their performance against the “big guns” and, secondly, who will emerge the best among them.
Again the sport of chess owes RHAND Credit Union and its General Manager David Maynard a debt of gratitude for now providing a convenient, comfortable and commodious venue for this premier contest. RHAND’s head office building on Abercromby Street, already the “home” of two major open competitions, again enhances its chess friendly status by accomodating the national championship as well. The Society, in fact, sets a wonderful example for the private sector in supporting the development of a sport which is widely credited with aiding the educational process.
Apart from the players themselves, the new venue provides an added advantage for lovers of the sport who would want to follow the action of this key ten round battle. The action starts on October 10 at 3 pm and continues as follows: October 11, 3 pm; October 16, 7 pm; October 17, 4 pm; October 18, 3 pm; October 22, 7 pm; October 24, 4 pm; October 25, 3 pm; October 30, 7 pm; October 31 4 pm; November 1, 1pm. The event will be followed by an open blitz tournament.
Action in the finals, of course, will see the country’s 12 leading players at their very best, competing for historic honours. As a valuable exercise for all our aspiring juniors, DR suggests that they follow this tournament as closely as possible, analysing play in all the critical and closely fought games. May the best man win.