CM Goh Zi Han takes joint second place at George Trundle Qualifiers!

Immediately after becoming National U9 champion ( the Indian boy Rajveev Nahah finished 1/2 pt ahead but the title went to a Singaporean, of course), CM Goh Zi Han had to dash home to pack for his  Auckland flight to compete in the George Trundle Invitational Qualifiers 2019.

Being the lowest seed in the 10 player event,  he was the only kid to compete in the George Trundle series as the rest of them were competing in the Oceania Age Group events held concurrently. Zi Han started off like a whirlwind with 3.5/4, taking out the top seed FM Tim Reilly in round 2 and led by 1/2 pt at that juncture from Tim and CM John Duneas.  However, he was pegged back by 3 consecutive losses and after Round 7, he was in 5th place, seemingly out of the money list (Top 2 finishers). A strong finish with 2 wins enabled him to tie for 2nd with WIM Alexandra Jules. CM John Duneas was the deserving winner with 7/9.

WIM Alexandra Jules and CM Goh Zi Han with their cheques (Photo Credit: Goh Wee Lip)

Here are two significant wins for the Maris Stella Primary schoolboy, the first in Tal style and the other, in Petrosianic manner.

Zi Han is now competing in the New Zealand Open and we hope to hear of more successes from the kiddo!