Jamaica edge T&T to win maiden Caricom Classic title

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

JAMAICA WON their first-ever Caricom Classic Team Chess Tournament in spectacular fashion after Barbados shocked defending champions Trinidad and Tobago in the penultimate round on Sunday.

At the end of the competition, played at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, Jamaica emerged victorious on 29.5 points, a mere half-point ahead of T&T, with Suriname third on 25.5 points, and Barbados fourth on 22.5 points.

T&T entered the eighth round against Barbados in a strong position to repeat as champions, but were shocked 2.5-1.5 by the Bajans.

For Barbados, Emar Edwards upset Fide Master Joshua Johnson on the top board and Women’s Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle defeated Women’s Fide Master Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez, while Kemp Lynch drew with Fide Master Kevin Cupid.

T&T’s only victory came from Zara La Fleur, who defeated Leshay Springer.

Meanwhile, Jamaica were held to a 2-2 draw by Suriname, to set up a thrilling finish to the competition.

Jamaica stormed to a 3-1 victory over Barbados in the last round, while T&T defeated Guyana A 3.5-0.5, but it was not enough to deny Jamaica their maiden title.

In the under-16 individual title, Barbados’ Mileke Sinckler captured the top spot with 6.5 points, edging countrymen Noah Clarke on the tiebreak and Aaron Jaikaran, who finished third on six points.