Ethan Lee (right) in action
On 3 points are Loris Nathoo and Rashad Hussain. Ronuel Greenidge, Roberto Neto, Kyle Couchman, Ricardo Narine, Keron Sandiford, and Jaden Taylor are all on 2.5 points.
Other participants are Odit Rodrigues, Sachin Pitamber, Kishan Puran, Kim Shing Chong, Ethan Thakurdin, Tremusa Marshall, Rafael Park, and Alek Ubaldo-Singh. Meanwhile, Sasha Shariff won against Jessica Callender, Emma John, and newcomer Anya De Groot and drew with Aditi Joshi to gain 3.5 points.
Shariff’s game against Callender was even as they exited the opening, with Shariff having the advantage with a better pawn structure.
The middle game evolved into a series of tricks and traps involving both players’ knights. In the end, Shariff outmaneuvered Callender, securing a material advantage, and cruised into a winning endgame and victory.
Joshi, Callender, Ciel Clement, and Treskole Archibald are on 2.5 points. Other female players are Kaija Clement, Nellisha Johnson, and Angelina Yhap.
The third series of the Grand Prix will conclude on March 24th, 2024.
Cash prizes totaling $70,000 will awarded to the top three placements in the open and female categories.
Grand Prix points will be calculated according to the Grand Prix tourney’s rating system.
The Guyana Chess Federation 2024 Grand Prix series is part of the qualification system for the 45th Chess Olympiad, which will be held in September 2024 in Budapest, Hungary.
The four Grand Prix allows players to test their skills and work on improving their strategy for the opening, middle, and end games in a competitive setting.
The final Grand Prix will be played later in June of this year. The National Open and Women’s Competitions are also part of the qualification system for the Olympiad.