International master Orlando Husbands has won the 2023 National Open Chess Championship by edging out the defending champion Martyn Del Castilho by a half – point after the final rounds of the event were completed over the last weekend at the Coles Building, Bay Street in Bridgetown.

Over a hectic weekend, Husbands racked up four consecutive victories to finish on 8 ½ points from 9. He was impressive in handling the pressure to maintain his slender lead and was only seriously pressed in round 8, when Fide master Dr. Philip Corbin fought valiantly to hold Husbands to a draw but to no avail.

Defending champion Martyn Del Castilho who would have been hoping that Husbands would have dropped at least a half point to give him some opportunity to have a chance to retain the championship he had won last year. However, it was not to be, and even though Del Castilho won all his games, he could only watch in frustration as Husbands held his slender lead to the finish of the event.

Finishing in third spot was Emar Edwards who had a pleasing tournament to finish on 6 ½ points. Edwards known for his road tennis, ballroom dancing and bridge accolades, showed good preparation and determination and exemplified this in his last-round victory over Ronaldo Rochester.

Dr. Philip Corbin after a long absence from a national final, came in 4^th position on 4 ½ points after being held to a draw by current under 16 Central American and Caribbean female champion Hannah Wilson in the final round. Adam Roachford rounded out the top 5 in the 10-player field with four points. He finished with an impressive victory over the higher-rated Lawrence Depradine in the last round. The ten players who qualified for this final, fought tooth and nail and made this event a memorable one for all.