junior and regional chess players get set to battle in the Sagicor Open Junior Tournament which begins today at 1 p.m. at the Keith Bourne Complex, Public Workers Credit Union, Belmont Road, St Michael.The tournament will be played in three sections – Under-12, Under-14, and Under-20 – and players who have not yet registered may do so at the playing venue before noon today.Corinne Howard, who created history last year by being the first girl to win the tournament, is keen to defend her title but will face stiff competition from Esan Wiltshire of Trinidad, Omari Teka of Grenada, and local players Akeem Cox and Lawrence Depradine.The Under-14 section is expected to create the most excitement as several improving players are in this group. However, Kemp Lynch of Garrison Secondary should start as clear favourite as he is internationally rated and has the experience of winning several junior titles.In the Under-12 section, Oshara Mason of The Lodge School is clearly the front runner but can expect stiff competition from Lyam Mapp of Trinidad, Alexander Weel of Providence Elementary and Asha Chadderton of Harrison College.This year’s competition should also see several improving juniors coming through the ranks as they have had many weeks of coaching at the National Sports Council Chess Camp.The Sagicor Open Junior tournament begins with an opening ceremony. (PR)
