Blackman sweeps boards to win second online Grand Prix event

Justin Blackman completed a clean sweep of the boards to capture the second event of the Barbados Chess Federation’s new online Grand Prix Series over the weekend.

Blackman, the no. 2 seed who also won the first event last month, finished with a perfect seven points in the two-day tournament played under the short rapid format on an online platform due to the existing restrictions on physical gatherings in view of the C0VID-19 situation.

The reigning Caribbean blitz champion established himself as favourite to take the honours when he triumphed against no. 1 seed Martyn Del Castilho in a top-of-the-table fourth round clash at the end of Saturday’s opening day.

The 29-year-old Blackman duly cemented his position with a further three victories on Sunday’s final day to comfortably win the event ahead of fellow FIDE Master Del Castilho who took second place with five and a half points.

Akeem Cox edged Nitin Mahtani on the tie-break to seal third place with five points. It meant that there was a carbon copy of the top three finishers from the first event which was held on February 6 and 7.

Emar Edwards, who finished fourth in the first event, ended with four and a half points to take fifth place on the tie break ahead of Adam Roachford and Rory Prescod.

The tournament attracted 26 players, six more than the first event. Under the format of the six-event series, players are awarded Grand Prix points in each event based on their percentage score in each tournament. Blackman, therefore, gained 100 Grand Prix points, Del Castilho 78 and Cox 71.

The player with the most Grand Prix points at the end of the series will be crowned champion. There will also be prizes for the second and third place finishers, Best Female, Best Player rated between 1300 and 1599, Best Player rated between 1000 and 1299 and the Best unrated player.

The dates of the third Grand Prix event will be determined at a later stage. (BCF)