Paladins inter-club chess today

DEFENDING champions Paladins  will  come up against seven chess clubs today (Republic Day) at Algico Plaza from 1 pm in the IBM sponsored Paladins annual  inter-club championship.

Paladins will this year be without the services of FIDE master Ryan Harper who is studying abroad and will be lead by national blitz champion Michael Pouchet. The team will again include Olympiad silver medalist Ravishen Singh, FIDE Master Frank Yee and national junior champion Sean Perryman. Last  year’s  runner-up  Checkmaters with FIDE master Mario Merritt, two National Masters — Cecil Lee and John Raphael  together with national player Lenard Duncan will again be the strongest challenge to Paladins. National chess champion National Master Christo Cave  and  Cesar Ramos can give Knights  a  more than fighting chance  but will have to depend on the lower three  boards,  as each team will comprise five  players and one reserve. At stake is  the IBM Challenge Inter-Club trophy plus prizes for the winners on each of the five boards.