This article was published in The Sunday Sun dated the 13th of July, 2003.

Regional Showdown in Sagicor Open Junior Chess Tournament

The Sagicor Open Junior Chess Tournament will start in earnest on the 14^th of July and culminate on the 18^th 2003 at the N.U.P.W headquarters’ Dalkeith St Michael. This Year’s event is expected to attract a record number of participants both locally and regionally. 

This tournament, which began in 1983, has become the stepping-stone for many of the past winners and competitors who have gone on to become title players and National champions in their respective countries. Over the years this tournament has attracted players from England, U.S.A, Jamaica, Trinidad, Curacao, Guyana and Venezuela. Out of the 20 years that it was held Barbados won it a record number nine times. These winners were International Master, Kevin Denny 1985 Fide Master Ron Buckmire in 1986. Fide Master Delisle Warner 1988,1989 and 1990, Matthew Hinds, Dwayne Goodridge, and Fide rated players Junior Taitt (1999) and Askari Elson in (2000).  

Overseas entries

This year’s tournament is expected to attract a total of 25 participants form within the region. Trinidad will be sending the largest contingent of players, a record total of 17 participants. The Trinidad Junior Chess Federation will be sending defending Champion Allan Monroe, 1998 champion Sean Perryman under 16 champion Marcus Joseph, National Under 14 champion Ashille Clarke- Mendes, National& Ladies champion Desire Derrick, Antonio Gellineau and Imran Hosein. The T&T scholastic Chess School will also be sending a cadre of under 12 and 10 players. Coming out of Surinam are Avinash Wahi and female player Roshni Jagroep. Jamaica will be sending they National Junior champion and Fide rated player Alain Morais and Darren Wisdon. Curacao and Venezuela are yet to confirmed the players.

 The Barbadian Line up 

Spear heading the charge for the “Bajans” will be our overseas base junior players Askari Elson, Olaudah Pryce, along with another of our F.I.D.E rated junior Justin Kirton, Murali Areti (QC) rapidly improving lodge school junior Martyn Del Castillo who recently qualify for Barbados Men’s Nationals and brother Dominick Under 14 champion Kevin Skinner of (HC) and some of our leading junior players 

Action to come

With such a strong line of overseas players it will be test of one’s home preparation and tournament experience that dictate the  outcome 

Late Registration will be done at the site from 9:00 am to 10:00am players are asked to travel with their pens, chess clocks and chess sets.

 Coordinator