Cabralis leads chess qualifier

Cabaralis won all four matches which was organised by the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) and is hosted by Paladins Chess Club.

The first qualifier saw Cabralis defeat Vandoff Smith and Cecil Lee on February 12 and he also got the better of Allan Munro and Mario Merritt (FM), on February 13.

Cabralis is the youngest Fide Master in the English speaking Caribbean and is certain to be among the top three qualifiers to advance to the finals.

Kishore Ramadhar trails Cabralis on 3.5 points after wins against Ananya Annamunthodo, Ian Ali and Frank Sears while drawing with Christopher Rahhael.

Munro Lee and Eddison Chang are close contenders to qualify, on three points each. Also in contention to qualify are Dev Soondarsingh, Merritt, Frank Yee (Fide Master), Raphael, Sears, Smith and Adrian Mitchell who are all on 2.5 points.National women’s champion Aditi Soondarsingh heads the list of four female participants on two points, winning against Alpacino Smith, drawing with Mitchell and Smith (V) and losing to Merritt.

Also on two points is Najarrah Muhammed, while Javanna Smith is on 1.5 points and Annamunthodo is on one point.

This first qualifier concludes today.

The second qualifier takes place at Arima Boys’ RC on April 9, the third begins on April 14 at Presentation College, San Fernando and the last qualifier goes to Tobago, at Scarborough Secondary, where two players will complete the list of 11 finalists.

Reigning national champions Ryan Harper (Fide Master) and Soondarsingh (A) will defend their titles in October, at Cascadia Hotel, Port-of-Spain.

The National Chess Championships are sponsored by PKF and is open to all nationals.

Interested players can pre-register by contacting Quintin Cabralis at 382- 7418 or Bhisham Soondarsingh at 761-7091.