World Youth chess Championship

17 – 29th November 2007

Antalya/Turkey

Bajans Fight with limited success in Round 6 and 7 of the 2007 World Youth Chess Championships.

The Bajan connection of Martyn Del Castilho, Justin Blackman and Alex Jackman fought hard but with marginal success in Rounds 6 and 7 of the World Youth Chess Championships in Antalya, Turkey to add another three points to the Barbados Score.

Martyn Del Castilho won both his round six (6)  and seven (7)  games to stay half point ahead of the  50% mark  with 4 points from 7 games with while Alex Jackman won his round six (6) game  but lost his round seven (7) game to now be at 2 ˝ points from 7 games. Justin Blackman  (rated 1957) played white against Nicholas Duport  rated 2075 of Switzerland in round 6 and came up against the Sicilian Sonzin,  both players attacked on the wings but Duport’s attack succeeded. In round Seven 7 Blackman played the Sicilian: Pelikan and Sveshnikov Variation, against Kurger Ethal of the Republic of South Africa (Un-rated) but allowed his opponent to get an overwhelming king side attack forcing mate at move 36.

All eyes will be on our players who are competing at this championship for their first time and will be setting the BENCH MARK for others, Askiri Elson was the only bajan to compete before and he did so in the under 18 section, at this stage of the tournament Elson had 3 points, one less than Del Castilho but had played higher rated players, Del Castilho however has defeated two persons over 2300 FIDE rated, a remarkable performance, so we can see a slight improvement in our performance, despite tougher opposition.

Round 8 and 9 will be critical, as only during these rounds  can Blackman and Jackman pull them selves up towards a 50 % score to retain their rating points, Del Castilho will have it a little easier, psychologically, since he is beyond his 50% and can see a possible improvement in his F.I.D.E. rating from this Championship.

You can follow the exciting action on the Barbados Chess Federation’s Web site by logging on to www.barbados,org/chess.

“Thanks for your continued support”

Reporting from the Limra International Hotel, Antalya, Turkey.

Tele: 0.242.824.53.00 Room number (3515)

Peter Dawson

Chess Coach,

President B.C.F.