Montrose Vedic surprise in schools’ chess

MONTROSE APS Vedic “A” team of Chaguanas and St Andrew’s School in Maraval emerged joint title-holders in the first annual Primary Schools Chess Championships held at the Students’ Activity Centre, UWI, St Augustine, recently.

Under a five-round Swiss format, the nine competing teams were involved in a day of tough battles and sturdy concentration on the boards. Montrose “A” team and St Andrew’s finished the contest locked at the top with 14.5 points and both were declared joint champs after a tie-break failed to separate the two. Gold medals were also distributed to chessists who won all five matches on each board. Justin Salloum of St Andrew’s took the prize on Board No 1, Zane Campbell of St Monica’s Preparatory, Port-of-Spain for Board No 2, Prithvi Ramakrishnan of the Combined Primary team for Board No 3 and Arya Vrat Walia of Montrose “A” team for Board No 4. Other participating schools included Blackman’s Private School, of Maraval, and Sacred Heart Boys’ RC, of Port-of-Spain, who both fielded two teams each, St Monica’s Preparatory of Port-of-Spain and a Combined Primary team featuring students from the International School, Bishop Anstey Junior School, Holy Name Prepatory and Newtown Boys’ RC.

Full Results
1. Montrose APS Vedic “A” and St Andrew’s 14.5 pts; 3. St Monica’s Preparatory 14 pts; 4. Combined Primary 13.5 pts; 5. Blackman’s Private School ‘A’ 10.5 pts; 6. Sacred Heart Boys’ “A” 9.5 pts; 7. Blackman’s Private School ‘B’ 9 pts; 8. Sacred Heart Boys’ ‘B’ 7.5 pts; 9. Montrose APS Vedic ‘B’ 7 pts.