Chess: National and Under-17 Championships-Hoareau and Figaro strike again |21 November 2007
A total of 15 male and nine female contestants participated in the National Championship which was played on a seven-round Swiss system format with one hour each on the clock.
Hoareau had to fight some very hard battles, especially in the fourth round against Seychellois Master Ralph Kimende, before taking home the winner’s trophy. Kimende eventually finished fourth as he could not compete on the second day of the champions – Sunday – because of a personal commitment.
In his match against Hoareau, Kimende made a mistake on the 31stt move by capturing Hoareau’s Rook with his Rook instead of his Bishop. Hoareau capitalised on his blunder to win the game.
As Kimende was absent on Sunday, 19-year-old Dominique Furneau took second position with an overall 5.5 points after losing to only Kimende and drawing against Hoareau in the sixth round.
Promising 14-year-old Andrey Accouche from the Youth Centre Chess club finished in third position with a total of five points. Accouche was also crowned the Under-14 champion.
Out of the nine female chesslers present, promising youngster Dericka Figaro won all her games.
“I wasn’t sure I would win the tournament since my mum (Rachelle Hoareau) and Mrs Bernadette Mein participated. So I gave my best to win the games,” said Figaro to Sports Nation.
Figaro was also the winner of the Under-14 championship with a total of seven points. She was followed in second place by the Eulentin sisters - Mariana and Jessy – who garnered 3.5 points apiece.
The Seychelles Chess Federation would like to thank Mr Alain Volcère, Chief Executive Officer of the National Sports Council (NSC), for giving away the prizes and everyone who helped make the tournament a success, especially the parents for being present to give the morale support to their young children.
The following are the results of the National Chess Championship and the Under-14 Championship
Male National Championship
2. Dominique Furneau 5.5 points
3. Andrey Accouche 5.0 points
4. Ralph Kimende 4.0 points
4. Arnold Mein 4.0 points
4. Keith Vital 4.0 points
4. Damien Hoareau 4.0 points
4. Gervais Cupidon 4.0 points
4. Jean-Phillip Eulentin 4.0 points
4. Alfred Figaro 4.0 points
11. Travis Boniface 2.5 points
11. Mario André 2.5 points
13. Gael Sinon 2.0 points
13. Nicodemus Hoareau 2.0 points
13. Joshua Fernandez 2.0 points
Male Under-14 Championship
1. Andrey Accouche 5.0 points
2. Damien Hoareau 4.0 points
2. Arnold Mein 4.0 points
2. Keith Vital 4.0 points
2. Gervais Cupidon 4.0 points
6. Travis Boniface 2.5 points
6. Mario Andre 2.5 points
8. Gael Sinon 2.0 points
8. Nicodemus Hoareau 2.0 points
8. Joshua Fernadez 2.0 points
Female National Championship
1. Dericka Figaro 7.0 points
2. Bernadette Mein 6.0 points
3. Rachelle Hoareau 5.0 points
4. Mariana Eulentin 3.5 points
4. Jesse Eulentin 3.5 points
6. Nissa Payet 3.0 points
6. Shamilla Inane 3.0 points
8. Medlynn Esparon 2.5 points
9. Laiza Ghislain 1.5 points
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Female Under-14 Championship
1. Dericka Figaro 7.0 points
2. Jesse Eulentin 3.5 points
2. Mariana Eulentin 3.5 points
4. Shamilla Inane 3.0 points
4. Nissa Payet 3.0 points
6. Medlynn Esparon 2.5 points
7. Laiza Ghislain 1.5 points
G.G