Mars on a roll in Pegasus Chess League
Davion Mars
In a thrilling Round Three encounter of the Pegasus Weekly Chess League on Monday night, Davion Mars overcame a challenging position to successfully counterattack and claim victory over Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Jessica Callender. The match, held in the Atlantic Meeting Room at the Pegasus Hotel, saw Mars maintain his flawless winning streak, now boasting a perfect three wins from three games.
Keron Sandiford also kept his unblemished record intact by defeating Raymond Sookdeo, setting the stage for an anticipated clash between Mars and Sandiford in Round Four, as the only players yet to concede any points.
On Board One, Callender, playing White, adopted a cautious approach against Mars, who is both a returning national chess player and a mechanical engineer. The contest soon evolved into a complex middle phase where both competitors had significant chances.
A detailed analysis revealed Callender missed a critical opportunity near move 14 that could have earned her a clear advantage. Nevertheless, she navigated through the complexities and managed to seize extra material, a pawn and the powerful bishop pair; putting her in a stronger position.
Not willing to play defensively, Mars launched a fierce counteroffensive, challenging Callender with a series of tough decisions. As her clock dipped below one minute, Callender faltered, making mistakes under pressure, and ultimately lost on time.
This marked Callender’s first loss in the tournament, causing her to drop to fourth place with two points. Meanwhile, Ryan McKay climbed up to third after beating Juliana Persaud, also holding two points.
Lower in the standings, Martin Poon moved up three spots after drawing Odinnie Reece to reach 1.5 points. Sachin Beharry gained ground with the same score, and Jaden Taylor earned his maiden point while advancing two places.
With four rounds still left to play, the competition remains intense as several contenders are still in the hunt for the title. The league is organised jointly by Drayton’s Chess Club, Pegasus Chess Club, and the Guyana Chess Federation.
For match results, rankings, and updates, visit the Drayton’s Chess Club Facebook page.
