The Ghana Chess Association (GCA) has held the 2021 National Youth Online Chess Championship where Malav Daftari, Dave Chief Quansah Acheampong, and others emerged champions in their respective categories.

The National Youth Chess Championship is an annual event where the youth in the age categories of U-18yrs, 16yrs, 14yrs, 12yrs, 10yrs, and 8yrs compete over the chessboard for the National Prize of National Champion in their respective categories.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event was held online using lichess and zoom platforms.

The seven rounds Swiss tournament was played over two weekends, involving about 60 children in all, from several schools in the country.

At the end of the event, medals were awarded to the top three in all categories.

The top five players in each category will be invited into the national youth chess team and be prepared towards the African Youth Chess Championship billed for August 2021.

In the U-18 category, Malav Daftari of the DPS International, Ghana won all 7 games to emerge first place. This was closely followed by Ghana’s young chess sensation, 8-year old Dave C. Quansah Acheampong, who finished second place ahead of Uzor Precious from KNUST, Kotey Emmanuel (Basics International), Ashong Emmanuel (Presec-Legon).

However, Dave Acheampong proved superior to win the U-10 with a perfect score ahead of Ghana International School trio Ash Marthur and Hrehaan Babani, Karan Mirwani; Kayla Tagboto from the Mary Mother of Good Counsel School placing fifth.

In the U-8 category, Jedidiah Acheampong from the Jack and Jill school placed first to become the National U-8 champion. Uriel Nettey (Mac-Ashley Int. School) came second followed by Ayaan Lalwani (Ghana Int. School), Kymani Nkansah Donkor (Lycee Francais D’Accra) and Ishmael Ghansah in that order.

Samuel H.de Pierrebourg (Lycee Francais D’Accra) beat Prassana L. Chandankhede (DPS),

Semion Quarshie-Sam (Soul Clinic Int.), Krishiv Udhwani (Ghana Int. School) and Hephzibah Tandoh to win the U-12 division.

In the U-16 category, John Allotey from the Basics Int. School won with Maanvendra Kothari (Ghana Int. School) and Jeremiah Adjetey also from the Basics Int. to place second and third respectively. Fourth place went to Rebecca Barnor (Basics Int.).

The U-14 category saw Mawuli Dankwah Richardson winning whereas Aarush Thakker (The Roman Ridge School), Angel-Jordan Quansah (Int. Community School), Mawuto Nyarko Richardson and Conrad Nunyuie Akaba took the second, third, fourth, and fifth position respectively.