Adam Dorrance of Nova Scotia finished equal 6th at the recent Canadian Zonals 2024. With the result, Adam earns the title of FIDE Master (FM). He played on top board in the final round against eventual tournament winner, International Master (IM) Shiyam Thavandiran.
The Zonal success caps a string of fine results for Atlantic Canada’s top-ranked player. These include 1st at the Edmar Mednis Memorial Invitational in Omaha, Nebraska, in November and equal 1st with GM Aman Hambleton at the Maritime Chess Championship held in Charlottetown in October.
Another Nova Scotia player making a strong impression is 10-year-old Michelle Zhang. She finished 3rd at the Maritime Chess Championship and 11th in the Women’s Canadian Zonal. As the youngest player in the Girls U14 section of the FIDE World Youth Girls Chess Championship in November, she finished 7/11 for a share of 14th place in the 125-player field. Playing on the top board in Round 3, both her youth and play caught the attention of the commentators: “Really impressive!” said one. “Stunning!” added the second, Grandmaster (GM) Arturs Neiskans.
Michelle is among the contenders at this weekend’s Halifax Open. Others include her older brother, Brian Zhang, rated 2173, and another young prodigy, Calix Marchand, who at 12 years old has already attained a master’s level rating of 2237.
Nova Scotia players are definitely on the move!
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