The Trinidad and Tobago National Chess team left the island to participate at the Central American and Caribbean Chess Festival games being hosted in El Salvador from the 16th-23rd September 2006.

The team have representative that will be competing in all the categories, sub 8-18. Ronnie Nelson is the under-10 representative having qualified at the National Tournament with a total win of 7/7 in January, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain. He also recently competed in Ecuador, with a 5/9, ending in 6th place.

Another favourite is Keron Cabralis who is the under-14 champ. Ronnie and Keron are both students of Arima Boys' R. C. School.

The contingent of warriors are as follows: Boys - Vandoff Smith, Joseph Gill, Esan Willshire. Girls - Javanna Smith, Melissa Perreira, Samantha Seetheran, and Aditi Soondarsingh. The team coach is Jose Rosales.

Once again such a trip will not be possible without the generosity of the sponsors. Much thanks go out the Ministry of Sports and Culture of Trinidad and Tobago. However , through the kindness of others such as radio announcer Vinod from i97.5 FM, favourite Television host Jaye-Q Baptiste of the Jaye-Q show, and an angel Pearl Attong Ronnie was able to get his champerone/councellor Mureen Nelson to travel with him.

The team left in fine spirit after a pizza lime at the Roxy, the night before their departure, thanks go out to the President Mr. Bhisham Soondarsingh.

Best of luck to our chess warriors…

The pictures were taken by me also. Much thanks again to you.

Keep the Beat

Lesley-Ann Nelson

Posted by The Chess Drum: 17 September 2006