Chess team off to good start

Barbados made an impressive start to the 8th CARIFTA Chess Championships in Curacao on Friday.

The Bajans, seeking to become the first team to win the championships three times, won 16 of their 21 games while losing three and drawing two in the first round of action at the Hilton Curacao.

Debutant Keon Lashley, playing in the Under-12 Open section, started Barbados’ sequence of victories by winning his contest in just under 40 minutes and was quickly followed by fellow Under-12 competitor Jaydn Gill.

There was a streak of wins for the Bajans that culminated with a marathon four-hour victory for Seagan Sandiford in the Under-20 Female section.

The Championships have attracted 182 players from a record 11 countries and there was an air of anticipation ahead of the competition, which got going with the first ceremonial push by Barbados Chess Federation president Allan Herbert in his capacity as chairman of the appeals committee. (HG)

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