Wendell Meusa/Sham Khan assume lead in National Chess Qualification tourney

Sep 29, 2009 Sports

Errol Tiwari (right) is all concentration as he contemplates his next move against Taffin Khan.

Wendell Meusa bounced back from a second round defeat to Learie Webster and defeated both Khans, David and Taffin, to assume the lead when play in the National Chess Qualification tournament continued at the Keishar’s Sports Club, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Sunday morning last.
Former junior champion, Taffin Khan, who had earlier led the points standing, found the going tough and conceded two games, one to veteran player Errol Tiwari, whose vast experience proved too much for the former youth champion.
Khan also lost to Wendell Meusa in one of the most anticipated matches of the day. Brian Thompson then pulled off two of the biggest upsets of the tournament, against Loris Nathoo and Errol Tiwari in rounds five and seven respectively.

Junior players, Sham Khan and Saeed Ali battle for the lead.

The tournament is now intricately poised with Meusa on six points, while Brian Thompson is on 5 1/2 points. Learie Webster, Taffin Khan and Errol Tiwari all have 5 points apiece followed by Loris Nathoo, Omar Shariff, Ronuel Greenidge and Irshad Mohamed, all on 4 1/2 points. Michael Pereira and Chino Chung are on 4 points each while David Khan and Shiv Nandalall have 3 1/2 each. Five other players are all tied on three points.
Sham Khan continues to dominate the junior category and remains the only undefeated player while amassing six points. Earlier, leader of this category, Saeed Ali suffered his only loss to Sham Khan in round six.
Results of other games are: Crystal Khan defeated Rashad Hussain, Raan Motilall defeated Stanley Ming Jr and Khalid Gajraj got the better of Cecil Cox.
The points standing after seven rounds are: Sham Khan-6, Saeed Ali 5 1/2, Raan Motilall, Kana Khan, Rashad Hussain, Crystal Khan and Stanley Ming Jr are on 5 points apiece. Hussain four and half, while Khalid Gajraj, Keron Simon, Sheriffa Ali, Carlos Petterson and Mandy Ramnarine have four points each. Six other players are tied on three points apiece.
The tournament concludes this weekend with the seniors contesting for championship honours on Saturday at 16:30hrs. This group would further convene for rounds nine and ten on Sunday starting from 12:00hrs. The juniors will play the remaining three rounds this Sunday from 10:30 hours.