BAJAN CHESS?players were among the prizes at the third Martinique Chess Open which was held over the last week.
A strong contingent led by national champion and FIDE master Orlando Husbands, international master Terry Farley, FIDE master Delisle Warner, Allon Richards, Bryan Husbands and Kelvin Daniel competed in an 88-strong player from nine countries, among them a number of strong grandmasters from Europe.
The top Bajan performer was Orlando Husbands, who finished tenth on six points. He was also the top Under-18 player, finishing way above his initial ranking of 17th. The improving Husbands upset current Trinidad national champion, FIDE master Ryan Harper, as well as international master Geraldo Lebredo of Cuba, two players rated above him.
He also had a good game against grandmaster Mattheau Cornette of France in the last round, where he was just unable to hold on to a draw.
Farley had a decent performance after a long lay-off, also scoring six points but finishing 12th on the tie-break.
He would have been a little disappointed when he let grandmaster Vladimir Talla of the Czech Republic off the hook in his round seven game where he had a clear advantage in the end game playing a queen versus his opponent’s rook.
Warner finished on five and a half points for 18th place with the highlight of his outing being a strong draw against Cornette.
Lodge School student Bryan Prescod finished on five and a half points, gaining second place in the Under-18 category. He also won a rating prize.
Kelvin Daniel had an inconsistent outing finishing on five points, while Foundation student Allon Richards earned four and a half points to take the top Under-16 prize.
The overall winner of the tournament was grandmaster Christain Bauer of France, followed Cornette and Talla.
The Barbadian junior players will continue battling in Martinique as the 2014 CARIFTA?Chess Championship will be played there this weekend.
(PR/EZS)
