Download Rich Text version - Winnipeg Youth Chess

Chess Column for June 1, 2002
By Cecil Rosner
Team Manitoba scored its best-ever result in the recent Canadian
Chess Challenge as the squad of Grade 1-12 champions placed
third in the country, behind Ontario and Quebec.
It was an outstanding performance for the young Manitoba players
who traveled to St. John's for the tournament, now in its 14th
year. Two members of the team came first in their grades,
allowing Song Li of Montrose School to be crowned top Grade 1
player in Canada, and Jeff Hou of Dalhousie School to win
similar bragging rights for Grade 5.
Trevor Vincent of Grosvenor School almost joined their ranks,
but narrowly lost a playoff after tying for first in the Grade 6
section. Yuchen Mu came third in the Grade 8 category, while
Devarshi Shome (grade 7) and Adrian Lafreniere (Grade 12) also
tied for third, but lost in their respective playoffs. Other
team members were Darion Toutant, Stephen Cooper, Ali Elkholy,
Ravi Jayas, Devin Morris and Preston Hogarth.
The other major youth championship this year is scheduled for
Montreal in July, and a number of strong Manitoba hopefuls
earned the right to play.
In the Under-10 boys category, Graham Still, Jasper Taylor and
Song Li qualified. The Under-12 boys saw Trevor Vincent, Jeff
Hou and Brad Katona qualify, while Meaghan Crane, Alice Charles
and Anna Magnusson were the top three in the girls' section.
Yuchen Mu, Devarshi Shome and Daniel Carrie won the Under-14
boys, with the Under-16 boys title going to Colin Gray and the
Under-16 girls to Jada Neuman.
Junior chess organizer Dwight Vincent says the results bode well
for the future of chess in the province, as ever-stronger
players move through the grades and into adulthood, developing
more skills and inspiring their peers along the way.
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Veteran local player and organizer Waldemar Schulz had a healthy
payday as he placed first with five points in the Manitoba Open,
winning the $250 first prize. Half a point behind was Samuel
Lipnowski ($125), followed by Aron Kaptsan and Ken Graham
($37.50 each) at 4.
The enhanced prize fund also benefited class players. John
Katona ($100), Michael Strub and Rory Curtis ($50 each) won the
B class prizes, with Alex Hogeveen Rutter ($75) and Keith Gannon
($50) winning the Under-1600.
The next local event is the June Tuesday Night Tournament at the
University of Winnipeg, with registration at 6:30 p.m., June 4.
You can get information on all upcoming local events through the
Manitoba Chess Association's website (www.chessmanitoba.com), or
by calling 961-0007. And if you have questions or suggestions
for this column, write me at [email protected].
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This week's problem: Mate in 2.
Solution to last problem: 1.Qf4.