Just past the half ways point of the 2023 National Open Chess Championship, international master Orlando Husbands has taken the lead after defeating former leader and defending champion Fide master Martyn Del Castilho in the 5^th round of the 9-round event.

Husbands went into the round, a half-point behind Del Castilho, who was on maximum points after having won all his matches. With Del Castilho playing the white pieces, many pundits believed that he could neutralize Husbands and probably steer the game to a draw. Husbands, however, showed his pedigree and played very actively throughout the clash, and eventually put Del Castilho under pressure until the latter blundered a piece and resigned.

With this result Husbands now leads with 4 ½ points, while Del Castilho is still in touch on 4 points.

In third spot is Emar Edwards with 3 ½ points. Edwards showed his attacking prowess in the last round when he swiftly defeated the current under 14 Central American and Caribbean(C.A.C) female bronze medal Channon Reifer-Belle.

Dr. Philip Corbin lies currently in fourth spot after a  comfortable victory over Adam Roachford. Current C.A.C under 16 female gold medal winner Hannah Wilson rounds out the top 5, after she defeated Ronaldo Rochester. The other result in the round saw Lawrence Depradine defeat Justin Parsons with the black pieces to claim his first victory after having only racked up two draws previously.

With 4 more games remaining in the event to be played over the weekend at the Coles Building, Bay Street, Bridgetown, it will be a chase until the finish, as Husbands will need to win all his games to ensure victory.

The nest round to be played on Saturday at 10.00 a.m. will see the important matches of Depradine against the leader Husbands and Wilson against Del Castilho.