KHAN, CALLENDER LEADING CHESS GRAND PRIX 2 TOURNAMENT

Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan is leading the Open category of the Grand Prix  Two Chess tournament, while reigning National Women’s Champion Jessica  Callender is leading the female side after 4 rounds of competition ended on Sunday,  February 4th 2024, at the National Stadium. 

With 25 players in the Open and 14 in the Female Category, the tournament,  sponsored by International Import and Supplies Inc., delivered riveting gameplay  and strategic brilliance, setting the stage for the remaining rounds of the eight round competition this weekend.  

The tournament witnessed some competitive form from National Open Champion  Taffin Khan, currently on a hot streak of four points after 4 games. Khan is one of  the few local players who has earned the Candidate Master title. 

Junior player Sachin Pitamber, in close pursuit with 3.5 points, battled to a draw in  his second round with veteran player Loris Nathoo. None of the two players was  able to make significant inroads to exploit each other’s position and the two  opponents agreed to a draw after less than 30 moves. 

Standing in third positing with 3 points is FM Anthony Drayton, whose only defeat  came at the hands of Taffin Khan. Drayton holds the FIDE Master Title. Also holding  strong with 3 points each are junior player Kyle Couchman and newly minted senior  Ethan Lee. 

Junior player Kyle Couchman prevailed with an upset victory over his senior  counterpart Ronuel Greenidge in their Round 2 match. Couchman began a series  of Queen manoeuvres, assisted by a few pawns to attack and entrap Greenidge’s  King. Greenidge was unable to save his monarch from checkmate and resigned,  giving his much younger opponent the inevitable win. 

An eventful battle ensued between experienced opponents Loris Nathoo and  Ronuel Greenidge in Round 3 after both ‘castled’ their King on opposite sides of the  board. That paved the way for a wild confrontation between the two as they both  became fixated on invading each other’s territory with their forces. Greenidge  managed to weaken and overwhelm his opponent to claim the win.

The Women’s Category was simply a display of exceptional talent, represented by  fourteen contenders vying for supremacy. Notably present are Jessica Callender in  the lead with 3.5 points, Aditi Joshi, who recently won the Under 14 Girls title and  is playing at an advanced level, is holding onto her number two spot. Junior player  Ciel Clement is in third position, with Sasha Shariff in the number four spot.  Shazeeda Rahim is quickly moving up the rankings after a late start in the  tournament. 

The Grand Prix is supported by tournament sponsor International Import &  Supplies which provides quality products and superior and sustainable construction  services and is committed to the welfare of society and community assistance and  development. The Guyana Chess Federation is proud to be associated with them  and applauds their efforts and ideals. 

As the competition intensifies, anticipation mounts for the final rounds scheduled  for this weekend at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence.  

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