TT 5-year-old creates chess stir

FIVE-year-old Prasanna Ramakrishnan, playing his first ever competitive series in the recent Sagicor Open Junior Chess Tournamnent, stunned the purists by garnering two points in the under-14 age-group.

And for his prowess, tiny Ramakrishnan received a trophy. Trinidad and Tobago Junior Chess Federation had a 20-plus team with FIDE Master Mario Merritt as coach and JCF secretary Sally Maharaj, at the five-day tournament which ended in neighbouring Barbados on Friday last. Other countries competing were Jamaica, Suriname and the hosts. Marcus Joseph topped the under-16 chessists, while Desire Derrick finished runner-up to Surinamer Roshni Jagroep in the girls category, beaten by half point. And Antonio Gellineau got the trophy for Best Player in 1200 Rating. Allan Munro was third behind Avinash Wahi of Suriname and Daren Wisdom of Jamaica in the Bolitz tournament held on the final day. The team travelled to Barbados courtesy Guardian Life, Caribbean Ispat Ltd, William H Scott Foundation, Desalination Company of Trinidad and Tobago and Caribbean Advertising and Tees.