Zerafa new Malta champion

Patrick Zerafa is Malta's new chess champion. He secured the national title after finishing on top of the classification at the end of the 72nd Chess Championship Finals that were held at the Malta Chess Federation headquarters in Sliema.

The 19-year-old Marsaxlokk resident amassed 7.5 points out of a possible 10, beating ex-champions Harry Camilleri, Peter Sammut Briffa and Colin Pace in the process.

Zerafa, who comes from a chess playing family, learned the game at an early age from his father and later enhanced his knowledge through modern technology.

He started playing competitive chess in 2004 when he participated in the Championship Preliminaries, placing third overall. In 2005, he was a member of the school team, representing Gian Frangisk Abela Junior College that won the Inter-Schools Chess Challenge.

Last year, Zerafa was first in the Championship Candidates and took part in the Finals for the very first time. He was also runner-up in last year's Junior Championship and third in the same competition this year.

The National Championship was sponsored by Simonds Farsons Cisk.

Positions: 1. Patrick Zerafa; 2. Robert Zerafa; 3. Duncan Vella; 4. Peter Sammut Briffa; 5. Colin Pace; 6. Harry Camilleri.