AFTER BATTLING for three-and-a-half hours last Saturday night, International Master Kevin Denny recorded the victory over Allan Herbert to maintain his winning streak in the Barbados Chess Federation's (BCF) second National Championships qualifier.

Denny is a perfect six from six, marching towards a showdown with national champion Delisle Warner. Alex Jackman, Justin Blackman and Colvin Howard have all won five games and Herbert four-and-a-half.

Othneil Harewood, Wendell Meusa, Michael Barker, Dr Kumar Areti, Asabi Layne, Austin Garnes, Sumant Nanduri, Teresa Howell, Damien Greaves and Demetrio Moore all have four wins.

In a dramatic sixth round, Herbert ended with a weak pawn structure in the opening against Denny. By move 21, Denny, playing with the white pieces, had a decisive advantage of having two connected passed pawns on C4 and D4.

In the complex middle game that followed, Herbert was forced to give up material for the passed pawns and Denny walked away with the victory to maintain his perfect record.

Denny was scheduled to face No. 2 seed Justin Blackman, who with one loss, will have the advantage of the white pieces. Blackman seized the advantage early against veteran Othneil Harewood but had to tread carefully to convert the advantage to a win in the last game to finish.

In other action, Jackman, also with five wins, upset the best laid plans of close friend Meusa in their encounter in what could become a rivalry of the future. Colvin Howard and BCF president Areti turned back Brian Branch and Kirk Grant, respectively, of a well represented The Lodge contingent.

The veterans were in full flow as Barker and Austin Garnes, both with four wins, gave each other pats on the back after victories over youngsters Sebastian Mansour and Rosh Wilson, respectively.

Emerging junior Asabi Layne (4/6) continued to shine with a victory over fellow junior Emmerson Hurley (3/6). Sumant Nanduri (4/6) announced himself as well by smashing fifth seed Dwayne Gilkes (3/6).

The women clashed among themselves as Teresa Howell (4/6) rebounded from the previous round loss at the hands of Colvin Howard to beat his daughter Corinne (3/6). They will face off shortly in the women's national championships. (SAC)