2003 Sagicor Open Junior Chess Champion - Barbados

Askari Elson born on 30th July, 1986 graduated from Harrison College, Barbados and is currently pursuing higher studies at New Mexico, USA.  He started achieving accoloades in chess from the age of 8 and is the youngest player in Barbados and English speaking Caribbean to achieve international rating in chess.  He competed on behalf of his schools and country in many events at Primary School level, Secondary school level and international level and won many prizes.  Following are a few of his many achievements:

• 1st in the Pir Maleki Memorial Chess Tournament held in New Mexico, 2003

• Represented Barbados in the 35^th Chess Olympiad, Bled, Slovenia (2002): scored three wins, four draws and one loss, to finish with 5 out of eight points 

• 6^th in the 2002 Barbados National Championship 

• 2^nd in the 2002 Junior National Chess Championship, Barbados

• Represented Barbados in the 34^th Chess Olympiad, Istanbul 2000 (achieved FIDE rating of 2200)

• 2000 Barbados Mutual Open Junior Champion at the age of 13 and he is the youngest player to achieve this feat

• 3^rd in U15 at the Annual Junior Orange Bowl International 2000, Miami, USA

• Outstanding Junior Sportsperson Appreciation Award for 2000

• The Barbados Primary and Secondary Schools Chess’ Most Successful Player of the Year, 1999

• Winner - Barbados Primary School’s Tournament - 1995  & 1996

Askari is also a talented athlete and represented Harrison College at the World Scholar Athlete Games, Rhode Island in 2001