GUYANA.- Defending junior champion suffers first defeat in Sasha Cells Chess Championship

GUYANA - Octubre 2013

Anthony Drayton, defending National Junior Chess Champion, suffered his first defeat to Roberto Neto of Diamond Secondary School in the fourth round of the SASHA CELLS National Junior Championship played last Wednesday evening (October 23) at Olympic House, Georgetown.

The two were paired to meet in the round. As the match unfolded, Neto and Drayton ended up with rooks, pawns and their monarchs on the board. Drayton missed a chance to queen a passed pawn against Neto’s two (in chess, pawns are usually weak but if promoted to queens, they become stronger). Neto took full advantage of Drayton’s error, forcing him to concede defeat. The loss has blemished Drayton’s perfect score earlier of three wins and the remaining three matches this weekend would be crucial for him.

The incumbent is bent on retaining the title but he is now among two other players, namely Haifeng Su and Neto with the same score. In the event of a tied score, the two top players would head into a playoff involving rapid chess. The winner of that encounter would finally secure the title.

In the other matches on Wednesday, Omar Britton Grant defeated Saeed Ali, Haifeng Su got the better of Davion Mars and Sheriffa Ali gained a walkover from Rashad Hussain who did not turn up for his match.

The point standings after four rounds read: Anthony Drayton, Haifeng Su and Roberto Neto three each, Davion Mars two, Sheriffa Ali two and a half, Saeed Ali and Omar Grant one each and Rashad Hussain still on half a point. The fifth round is scheduled for Saturday 26th at 14:00hrs at the Guyana Legion Hall, Carifesta Avenue. The final two rounds are scheduled for the same venue on Sunday October 27.

Fuente: Guyana Chess Federation