Only 15 Bajans on chess boards

Article by Ezra Stuart

The high-profile inaugural FIDE Americas Caribbean Cup Chess Championship which started at Divi Southwinds Beach Resort last Friday night has been hit by a disappointing turnout of local chess players.

According to reliable sources, the non-participation of many of the island’s top players, despite an overall prize pool of $20 000, highlights the dissatisfaction many senior players and several parents of junior national players are experiencing with the Barbados Chess Federation (BCF).

THE NATION understands a combination of factors has contributed to the poor participation from local chess players with only 15 competing compared to 18 overseas entrants.

Foremost among the reasons was the original entry fee of a whopping $270. Usually, the participation fee for a chess tournament in Barbados is $20. (EZS)

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