SAM AVEY wins First Flight Chess 2009

Sam Avey, 9 year-old Dunross Co-operative Society School student, has joined the coterie of leading junior chess players by his impressive victory in an Invitational tournament which ended on Sunday at the National Library in Port of Spain.

Sam Avey at play

Forty-two players accepted the Chess Foundation’s invitation to ring in 2009 with the second edition of the First Flight Air Ambulance sponsored Chess Classic which ran from January 2nd to 4th, as the T & T Chess Foundation kicked off the first event on its Chess calendar for 2009.

The tournament which consisted of six rating divisions ushered in use of the Chess Foundation’s new rating system as a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in tournaments.

Avey, playing in division one for players rated 1280 and under, finished the seven-round Round-robin with a perfect score of seven out of seven points, heading a field of 8 players. Avey’s rise to the top was relatively rapid. Although he was taught to play by his father, he only began competing in tournaments a year ago. But Sam’s talent and promise were obvious from his performance in the recently concluded Orchard Grand Prix which earned him an invitation to compete in the First Flight Chess Classic according to Edison Raphael, President of the Chess Foundation. Maria Gallemaso and Keanu Seecharan of Holy Name Preparatory school trailed Avey on 6 and 4 points respectively to take second and third spots.

Keron Cabralis, National Junior Champion, also give an impressive performance in division 6 for players rated 2100 and under. Eight players took part in this division including three former National Junior Champions: Sean Perryman, Allan Munro and Marcus Joseph. Cabralis of St. Mary’s college played unbeaten to finish with 6.5 points. He was held to a draw by his school mate Christopher Raphael who placed second with 4.5 points. Allan Munro, Sean Perryman and Marcus Joseph tied for the third place with 4 points each.

 
Keron Cabralis receiving his trophy from FIDE Master Ryan Harper

In division 5 for rated players 1857 and under Kevin Cupid of Holy Cross College won with 5 points followed by Rafael Guerrero of St. Mary’s College with 4 points and Garth Williams of QRC in third with 3.5 points. Seven players took part in this division.

Kevin Cupid receiving his trophy and cash prize from Chantal Fitzpatrick former National Women’s Champion.

In division 4 for players rated 1523 under, Jarryon Paul of St. Mary’s College took top honours with 5 points followed by Mahendra Singh of Montrose Government Primary school on 4.5 points and Joshua Johnson of Maria Regina Grade School third with 3.5 points. Seven players took part in this section.  In division 3 for players rated under 1400, Tanal Janwani of Presentation College Chaguanas played unbeaten to top the field of eight players on 5.5 points. He was followed by Rishon Ramlogan of Curepe Presbyterian Primary School on 4.5 points and Christian Ammon of Maria Regina Grade School third on 4 points. Below: Tanal Janwani receives his Trophy and Cash prize.

Sumir Janwani receiving his Trophy and Cash prize

In division 2 for players rated 1100 and under, Sumir Janwani headed the field of eight players to win with 5 points. Runners up in second and third places were Ami Alexis of Holy Name Preparatory school and Andre Sims of Maria Regina Grade with 4.5 and 4 points respectively. 

Standings

Pictorial Report