After two rounds of the 2025 CB Gilkes chess tournament currently being held at the Coles Building, Bay Street, Bridgetown, St. Michael, 6 players are in the lead of the 7- round event with 2 points each.

These players include FIDE master Dr. Philip Corbin, candidate master Justin Parsons, woman candidate master Chanon Reifer- Belle, Ronaldo Rochester, Lawrence Depradine and Emar Edwards.

In the last round played  on Errol Barrow day, Parsons defeated Allan Herbert, Reifer-Belle won from Isaiah Archer, Rochester defeated veteran Cyprian La Touche, Depradine defeated Aaron Jaikaran, Edwards won from wily veteran Othneil Harewood, while Dr. Corbin won from Amari Blackett. Blackett would have felt hard done as he played a good game and could have held on for a draw in the ending. However, a slight inaccuracy, Corbin was able to capitalize and claim victory.

Savion Little and newcomer Rasmakonnen  Lowe sit in joint 7th – 8th with one and a half points. These two battled to a hard-fought draw in round 2, with Lowe showing great competence in his play to push Little all the way.

Other players obtaining victories in round two of the event were Boris Thompson, Noah Clarke, Mileke Sinckler, Jerimiah Farley, Alfred Sparman and Janiyah Browne.

With only two rounds of the event completed so far, the battle is definitely on for the top three places who would qualify for the 2025 Open National chess championship final later in the year.

The action concludes over the coming weekend with games played at the Coles Building on Saturday and Sunday with games at 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.