See-saw start for Husbands

Top Barbadian player Orlando Husbands has made a disappointing start to the inaugural Caribbean Chess Cup.

Husbands, the No. 2 ranked player in the masters section featuring 16 competitors, lost two of his first four matches at Divi Southwinds in the tournament that is offering a top prize of $5 000.

The international master started by defeating Trinidadian Kevin Cupid before suffering successive defeats against another Trinidadian, Ryan Harper, and Leo Arvelo of the Dominican Republic.

Husbands bounced back in the fourth round yesterday with a victory against Christopher Guzman of the Dominican Republic.

Six-time national champion Martyn del Castilho was the most successful Barbadian going into yesterday evening’s fifth round of games.

He scored three points by way of victories against Ferreras Crispin of the Dominican Republic and fellow Barbadian Deslie Warner, along with draws against local boy Justin Blackman and Shreyas Smith of Jamaica.

Another Barbadian, Kemp Lynch, was in fifth place on two and a half points, with Husbands and Warner on two points. The leader was Harper on three and a half points.

In the Open section for lower-rated players, Guyanese Anthony Drayton was the front-runner with a maximum four points. Seven-time national champion Dr Philip Corbin was in second place on three and a half points.

Corbin was forced to settle for a draw in the first round against Under-16 champion Kyle Sandiford before completing three successive wins. (HG)