International Master (IM) Alan-Safar Ramoutar and Zara La Fleur were named the "Players of the Year" for both the senior and junior categories at the T&T Chess Association (TTCA) annual prize-giving ceremony held at the Preysal Secondary School on Sunday.
All COVID-19 protocols were observed as all in attendance wore masks, a similar practice during all competitions this season at the same Preysal venue.
Ramoutar continues to thrive in the game, winning the Return to the Board Open ahead of Fide Master (FM) Marcus Joseph. FM Ryan Harper and FM Joshua Johnson tied for third but it was the former getting the nod in the tie-break.
La Fleur also had a super season, topping both the Under-20 and U-16 categories at the national competitions. She was also given a special mention for placing first overall in the joint Absolute and Girls U-16 category.
Winners from the National Youth Championship, National Junior Championship and the International Women's Day Online Rapid were handed out at the ceremony, following TTCA's president Sonja Johnson address.
During her remarks, she reflected on the impact that COVID-19 had on chess activities in the country in 2020 but stated that it also presented opportunities for the TTCA to engage in virtual activities, including the Online Chess Olympiad 2020 and World Youth Online Rapid 2020.
Johnson also mentioned that the top players (male and female) were able to participate in an online training programme that ended in February.
"I was delighted by the prompt approval provided by the Ministry of Health which allowed such major national events to be executed successfully, and with all health protocols.
"I am also excited about upcoming events including an Online Chess Grand Prix which will have two sections: Open-rated and Open-unrated," said Johnson, who encouraged players to participate and even their parents.
She added that there are other future collaborations with the T&T Police Service (TTPS) and the Police Youth Clubs as well as with T&T Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) forthcoming, reiterating the importance of expanding the community's volunteer base and made a call for volunteers to present themselves for service.
Public Relation Officer (PRO) Woman International Master (WIM) Gabriella Johnson, who was the champion of the International Women’s Day Online Rapid, gave the vote of thanks and recognised all who contributed to the successful season.
"Thank you for your enthusiasm and sportsmanship. Thank you for putting your best foot forward for every game even though I know it can be hard sometimes. You have been the key contributors in making these tournaments the success that they were," said Johnson also recognising the sponsor, First Citizens.
"Your support of the TTCA enables us to continue to hold these events for chess enthusiasts across T&T. The TTCA values your contribution to our local chess community and looks forward to continued collaboration in future endeavours."
Johnson also acknowledged the Ministry of Health for granting approval to hold the TTCA events given the current global circumstances due to the pandemic and the Ministry of Sport and Community Development along with its Minister, Shamfa Cudjoe, the Director of Sport, Gabre Mc Tair and Liaison officer at Ministry of Sport and Community Development, Delisa Blizzard.
Honour roll
Players of the Year
Junior and Senior Men's: IM Alan- Safar Ramoutar
Junior and Senior Women's: Zara La Fleur
Best U-14 Girls: Vandina Maharaj
Return to the board Open: 1 Alan-Safar Ramoutar; 2 Marcus Joseph; 3 (tied) Ryan Harper/Joshua Johnson (4th place on tie-break)
International Women’s Day Online Rapid: 1 Gabriella Johnson; 2 Shemilah James; 3 Zara La Fleur
U-8 Absolute: 1 Adrian Allum; 2 Spencer George; 3 Ethan Ramnarine Singh
U-8 Girls: 1 Ne'yah Martin
U-10 Absolute: 1 Kyan Muradali; 2 Dominic Allum; 3 Daniel Bhim
U-10 Girls: 1 Adaya Johnson; 2 Jahzara Grant
U-12 Absolute: 1 Zachary Murray; 2 Kael Samuel Bisnath; 3 (tied) - Tristan Balliram/Taydan Balliram(4th on tie-break)
U-12 Girls: 1 Vandina Maharaj; 2 Anasuriya Seeram Maharaj; 3 Kaitlyn Rampersad
U-14 Absolute: 1 Chandresh Prabhakar; 2 Juninho La Fleur (tied for 1st, 2nd on tiebreak); 3 (tied) Joshua Medina/Luke Balliram(4th place on tie-break)
U-14 Girls: 1 Aradhana Ramnarine Singh; 2 Kavira Singh; 3N'kechi Joseph
U-16 Absolute: 1 Keagan Ragoobar, 2 Sheldon Yearwood; 3 Kiran Mohammed
U-16 Girls: 1 Zara La Fleur; 2 Akineece Charles; 3 Ruth Beepath-Bynoe
U-18 Absolute: 1 Sean Yearwood; 2 Matthew Inkim; 3 Zidane Boodoo
U-18 Girls: 1 Shemilah James; 2 Anusha Saha (tied for 1st, 2nd on tie break); 3 Keira Samuel Bisnath
U-20 Girls: 1 Zara La Fleur; 2 Aradhana Ramnarine Singh; 3 Vandina Maharaj
U-20 Absolute: 1 Daenon Ramsumair; 2 Kelon Brathwaite; 3 Chandresh Prabhakar