FM Ryan Harper reinforced his position as the country’s strongest chess player when he finished unbeaten in the T&T International Open which ran alongside the inaugural Carifta Chess Games held at UWISpec over the last week. The six-time national champion scored 8.5 points  in the nine-round event, conceding a draw to Wim Blijstra of Curacao. The 34-year-old professional chess coach dominated the tournament which included several of the country’s leading players, thus maintaining the hope that he would be the first to gain the IM title for T&T. Harper’s victory earned him the top cash prize of US$1,000. FM Mario Merritt showed a welcome return to form by taking second place on seven points and collecting US$625 in the process. He and Marcus Joseph who also finished on seven shared the second and third prizes. Other prize winners in the Open were Wim Blijstra $US350; Allan Munro US$200; Esan Wiltshire US$150; Ravishen Singh US$150; Gilles Suez-Panama US$150; Dev Soondarsingh US$150; Mikhail Solomon US$150.

The Carifta Chess Games attracted more than 90 junior players from five countries. T&T fielded 60 while ten came from Jamaica, twelve from Barbados, eight from Martinique and three from Suriname. Curacao had one representative. T&T emerged foremost among the competing countries, scoring a grand total of 132 points with Barbados second on 68, Jamaica third on 50 and Martinique fourth on 42. The fairly even share of the six gold medals indicated the keenness of the competition. T&T and Jamaica garnered two each while Barbados and Martinique gained one each. Two T&T youngsters had outstanding tournaments. Playing unbeaten, Under-20 champion Joshua Johnson continued to dominate the junior ranks topping a field of 22 players in the Under-16 Open. WCM Javanna Smith had a perfect score among the eight participants in the Under-16 girls section. Among the 18 players in the Under-20 open, Jamaican Stuart James emerged the winner, playing unbeaten for six and a half points. Half a point behind him was Calvin Tjong Tjin Joe of Suriname while Yu Tien Poon of Barbados was third on three and a half. In the Under-12 Open, Emerick Lafortune of Martinique emerged unbeaten on six and a half with second placed Rachel Miller of Jamaica half a point behind and Andy Marie-Calixte placing third on five and a half.

Sheanel Gardner of Jamaica dominated the Under 12 Girls with a perfect score of seven. Gabriella Johnson of T&T scored six for second place while Shannon Yearwood also of T&T was third on five. The first Carifta Chess Games ended on a happy note with players from different countries hailing their winners as they collected their trophies. President of the T&T Chess Association Kamla Rampersad De Silva was presented with gifts from the Jamaican contingent to express appreciation for their enjoyment of the tournament. Players who achieved honours for T&T and those who contributed to the development of the sport over the years were recognised. The Games which marked the 75th anniversary of the Association and the 50th year of the country’s independence also made history as the first official FIDE event to be held in T&T. Chairman of the FIDE Development Commission Allan Herbert thought the event was a success inspite of the limited time in which it had to be  organised. His hope was that the first Grandmaster from the region would eventually emerge from among the young participants.

-Carl Jacob

Source: www.guardian.co.tt