National Under-12 chess champion Joshua Johnson is favoured to win the eighth annual IBM 2011 Junior Chess Championship this weekend at Algico Plaza on St Vincent Street, Port of Spain from 9.30 a.m.
Johnson is in fine form, having returned last week from competing at the World Youth Chess Championship, where he finished 21st out of 131 Under-12 players.
His record at the tournament was five wins, two draws and two losses, meaning he finished on six points. After a good year, Johnson has earned a nomination for the 2011 Annual First Citizens Sports Foundation youth awards.
But victory for the national champ is no certainty, with brothers Vishnu and Mahendra Singh, both of Presentation College Chaguanas, and Queen's Royal College's Sylvon Yearwood. Malcolm Joseph (Fatima College), Dimitri Pacheco (St Mary's College) and Antonio Mohan (Holy Cross College) will also challenge for the top spot.
Among the girls, national Under-12 winner Gabriella Johnson will battle Shannon Yearwood, Tyler-Marie Mungal, Najarah Rahaman and national Under-8 champ Shameilah James for the top prize.
Registration for the seven-round Swiss format tournament starts at 9 a.m. on Saturday, and is open to all junior players. Players wishing to pre-register can contact Bhisham Soondarsingh at 761 7061, or Andrew Bowles at 741 3982.
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com