Mileke Sinckler of Harrison College won the Scholastics Under-13 Open chess championship over the last weekend when he scored 5 ½ points from a possible 6, to edge out Aaron Jaikaran by half of a point from a 22-player field at his school grounds.
Sinckler won all his games and was only held to a draw in the 5th round by the second-place finisher Jaikaran. Sinckler went inti the last round tied on 4 ½ points with Chaz Reifer-Belle. The two would engage in a winner takes the title clash, while the loser would rue the opportunity.
Unfortunately for Reifer-Belle, after acquiring a comfortable position out of the opening, he fell to a tactical shot by Sinckler and resigned immediately as the material loss would have been too significant. With this result Sinckler was king of the Under thirteen and Reifer – Belle slipped to third as Jaikaran had defeated Savion Little in the last round to leapfrog him to second.
Nathan Reid finished on fourth by tie-break as he also finished on 4 ½ points. His only loss was in round one to Jaikaran and then a draw in round two. He, however, finished the tournament impressively with four wins on the trot.
Naomi Lewis won the Under-13 girls’ section as she scored a very creditable three and a half points amid having to play with the Open field. The females played with the males as they were undersubscribed. Jaeda Herbert finished in second.
Naomi Lewis, Under-13 Sholastics Girl Champion.
Under 9 and 7 Championship Winners
Jerimiah Farley won the Open Under-9 scholastics with an impressive 6 wins from his 6 games. He was followed home by DeShawn McBean in second on three points and Benjamin Brathwaite in third place.
Janiyah Browne placed first in the Girls Under-9, with Amelia Mottley in second and Daisha Rose- Parris in third. Nia Snow Clarke captured the Girls Under-7 crown.
Jerimiah Farley, Under-9 Open Scholastics Champion.
This Whitsuntide weekend, the I.M. Kevin Denny Open will take place at the Coles Building, Bay Street in Bridgetown. This will be the second qualifier for the Barbados National chess championship finals, where 3 players will move forward to the finals. All are welcome to pass through and support our players. (KD/PR) ]]>
