Harper bids for Paladins chess title

Harper, who won the national crown for the second time last year having first captured it in 2002, broke Christo Cave’s stranglehold on the most prestigious local chess title in the process.

Harper, a member of Paladins Chess Club, won all the major national titles last year and led his club to victory in the annual inter-club tournament.

Last May he represented Trinidad and Tobago on Board One at the World Chess Olympiad which was held in Turin, Italy.

But Harper will not have an easy task this weekend.

Defending champion David Christopher will be going all out to retain the NFM/Paladins Trophy together with cash prizes.

Strong challenges are also expected from FIDE Masters Mario Merritt and FM Frank Yee, Hayden Lee, Cecil Lee and David Jones all of whom have qualified for this year’s New India Assurance Limited National Champion-ship Finals.

The Paladins tournament, once again sponsored by National Flour Mills, is organised by Paladins Chess Club, an affiliate of Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association for over 35 years.

The seven-round swiss style event begins tomorrow at 3 pm at COSTAATT City Campus, Melville Lane, Port-of-Spain.

Special prizes will be given to the best Under-1800 rated player, the top female chessist and the top junior player.

A large number a juniors have already registered for the tournament including national Under-18 champion Aditi Soondarsingh (returning to competitive chess after her CXC exam), national Under-ten female champion Javanna Smith together with her brothers Alpacino and Vandoff, Under-18 male champion Adrian Mitchel, Esan Wiltshire and Kevin Cupid.

Registration closes today at 2 pm interest players can contact, Andrew Bowles at telephone number 741-3982 or Bhisham Soondarsingh at 628-5068.