Noah Clarke takes early lead in Dr. Philip Corbin Open chess event

After three of the seven rounds of the 2025 Dr. Philip Corbin Open chess tournament, the current Under 16 national youth champion Noah Clarke has taken a clear lead with three points.

In the last round played on Sunday at the Main Guard, Garrison Savannah, Clarke defeated a then co-leader in the veteran Cyprian La Touche in what was a very exciting game in which after about four hours of battle, La Touche misplayed the attack and fell to a dramatic loss.

Two players are jointly in second place on two and a half points. These are Mileke Sinckler and Boris Thompson. Thompson showed good technique as he defeated a feisty Othneil Harewood in their last match. Sickler, on the other hand had a less stressful outing as he won by default against woman FIDE master Hannah Wilson.

Other results from the round saw victories for Dr. Alfred Sparman, Charis Stuart, Raef Clarke and woman candidate master Kiarra Eversley.

The highlight of the next round to be played on Friday evening at 6.00 p.m. will see Clarke with the white pieces playing against Sinckler while Thompson plays La Touche. Even though it’s early days yet, these players will feel that they are the ones in contention for the three qualifying spots which go to the first three finishers in the event and enable them to qualify for the 2025 National Open Chess Championship Finals later on in the year.