This event (click for full results) was held at Doncaster Gardens Primary School and attracted a strong field of 64 players plus numerous assorted parents.

Tournament Winner Vinay Lakshman & Robert Jamieson

The tournament favourite was previous champion Frank Lekkas who had won the May RJ Shield, but Frank was in trouble in round 3 when he was a queen down with 4 seconds left on the clock as Black in the following position:

White to play.

Here Frank’s opponent, Rahmin Islam, made an unfortunate choice with 1. Kg4?? to which a relieved Frank replied 1… h5# 0-1.

In the next round Frank was not so lucky and went down to 8 year-old Isaac Zhao who is a very promising player. Isaac then lost to Vinay Lakshman from Haileybury, who was playing in his first RJ Shield Event.

In the last two rounds Vinay withstood challenges from Karl Zelesco and Jonathan Tissa to register a perfect score of 7 out of 7. Unlike many of the players, who rushed their moves out, Vinay played slowly and steadily building up a solid position in each game. It was good also to see him trying to help his opponents after the game and to show they how they could have improved their play. A worthy champion!

Of the other players the best performances were Isaac Zhao who scored 5 points and won the U/8 trophy and 10 year-old Karl Zelesco from Deepdene Primary who won his first 5 games straight and won the U/10 trophy. Isaac’s rating went up 38 points from the tournament and Karl’s went up 34 points.

Last round excitement - Frank Lekkas v Karl Zelesco

RJ Shield Prizes 26/7

1st Open Vinay Lakshman
2nd Open Frank Lekkas
3rd Open Vishwamithra Shashishekara
1st U/12 Josh Devarajh
2nd U/12 Jonathan Tissa
3rd U/12 Thumula Gamage
1st U/10 Karl Zelesco
2nd U/10 Ege Girgin
3rd U/10 Isaac Lee
1st U/8 Isaac Zhao
2nd U/8 Matthew Hart
3rd U/8 Suren Kapadia
Top Girl Mae Salazar
Encouragement Awards Rahmin Islam & Sebastian Saunders

The next RJ Shield will be on Sunday 30th August. Enter early to reserve your place in the tournament.