FIDE master Martyn Del Castilho was crowned the 2024 Rock Hard Cement  National Chess champion when action was completed at the Coles Building over the last weekend.

He went into the last round of the event on Sunday evening knowing that anything but a loss against the second positioned Emar Edwards would ensure himself of the title. Playing It safe and pragmatic, Del Castilho settled for a draw to reach 7 points and retain the national championship crown that he had last won a few years ago.

Edwards had his best performance ever in a National final tournament to finish in clear second on  6 ½ points. He was impressive throughout the event having suffered only one loss and one draw throughout his 8 matches.

Kemp Lynch also had his strongest performance in a National final to come clear thirdin the 9 player field of qualifiers on. In the last round, Lynch defeated a hapless Muralidhar Areti.

Justin Parsons and Hannah Wilson tied on 4 ½ points each to come 4th – 5th respectively. In the final round Parsons won against Ronaldo Rochester, while Wilson scored the full point against Amari Blackett.