Lynch confirmed as Governor’s challenge champ

Kemp Lynch won the 2024 Central Bank Governor’s Blitz chess challenge on Independence Day with 7 ½ points from his nine rounds, playing unbeaten with sx victories and three draws to cop the title.

The event was played under the patronage of the Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr Kevin Greenidge, who also graciously allowed the event to be played at his residence at Newlands, sponsored the prizes, as well as partook in the event.

 

Lynch, who in September represented Barbados at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, was in good form. He had taken the lead in the 34-player field by the fifth round 5 of the event. He then faced off against the top seed in the event, International Master Orlando Husbands in Round 6.

 

Lynch showed his resilience, and after dispatching Husbands, he coasted to victory with three consecutive draws. His final round draw against the rapid national champion Justin Parsons secured him victory, as by then, no other players could surpass him.

 

The top seed, International Master Orlando Husbands, finished in second place on seven points. Husbands, who was by far the highest-rated player in the event, would have been slightly disappointed in his placing. He, however, might have felt he was in for a tough outing when he fell to a heavy upset in Round 3 against Mark Lowe. This was only emphasised when he lost again a couple of rounds later to the eventual winner Lynch.

 

The governor himself, Dr Greenidge amassed 6 ½ points to finish in third position. Going into the final round, Dr Greenidge was among five players who sat in third spot with 5 ½ points.

 

He was able to defeat the junior Aaron Jaikaran to pull himself out of this group. Dr Greenidge is a former national representative, having played chess at such top-level events as the Chess Olympiad and the Sub-Zonal. He remains an active chess enthusiast and has been supporting the game locally and encouraging his staff to learn since becoming the Governor of the Central Bank.

 

Three players finished on six points, just missing out on the prizes. These were Justin Parsons, Mark Lowe, and his sparring partner Stephen Browne. A host of six players then finished on 5 ½ points, including Noah Clarke, Adam Roachford, Chris White, Louis Wilson, Jerimiah Farley, and Aaron Jaikaran. Clarke and Jaikaran split the best Under-16 age category prize, while Farley won the best Under-12.

(PR)