NATION NEWS
Howard stamps authority on chess board
Published on: 10/31/06.

CORINNE HOWARD put the final touch on a well deserved championship with a victory in the final round of the CGI (Consumers' Guarantee Insurance) Ladies National Chess Championship.

Playing against Cheri-Ann Parris, Howard looked in trouble early after her sacrifice of a pawn was coolly accepted by Parris. In the resulting open position, however, Parris overlooked a tactical threat
and Howard won a piece and forced resignation to win her first ever Ladies' crown with a perfect score of six points. The defeat pushed Parris into third place.

Charging into second place was Melissa Sookhram who won an interesting battle with Comarie Mansour. Sookhram seemed to be in trouble early after her castled king came in for some probing. She survived the early scares to press home a central spacial advantage that culminated in a passed pawn queening.

However, the crowd was treated to a case of nerves in the last game as she missed several moves. The nervous energy abated and she kept her eye on the prize to cop the second place.

Other games featured a clash of former champions as Teresa Howell and Margaret Prince clashed for bragging rights. Howell had the early edge, but complications netted Prince a pawn. Just as it looked to be Prince's game however, she was betrayed and Howell was victorious. Tournament darling Mia Mascoll got in one last upset with a victory over Juanita Garnett to finish with an impressive four points in her first Ladies championships. She is clearly one for the future.

Jaleesa Bowen got a victory over Beverley Howell to end on four points as well and edged out a group of four to finish in fourth place. Lizza Corbin, Iman Derrick and Cherise Austin all picked up final round victories over Nalini Persaud, Anjeanette Gill and Deborah Ramdin respectively to raise their standings.

After an enjoyable tourney there was plenty of hugs and photos as a welcome break from the tense competition of the previous weeks. The top ten players are: 1. Corinne Howard (6/6), 2. Melisssa Sookhram (5/6); Cheri-Ann Parris (4/6); 4. Jaleesa Bowen (4/6); 5. Coumarie Mansour (4/6); 6. Teresa Howell (4/5); 7. Mia Mascoll (4/6); 8. Juanita Garnett (3/6); 9. Margaret Prince (3/6) and 10. Lizza Corbin (3/6). (PR)