Mileke Sinckler led a trio of first-time qualifiers for the 2025 National Open chess championship when he clinched the 2025 Dr. Philip Corbin Open event as action climaxed last Monday evening at the Main Guard, Garisson Savannah.

Sinckler won the event on tie-break ahead of Boris Thompson and Noah Clarke after all three players finished the event on 5 ½ points from their 7 games.

In the last round, Clarke was the first one to reach 5 ½ as his opponent Kiarra Eversley did not turn up and Clarke subsequently won the match by default. After about three hours of play Thompson had defeated Dr. Alfred Sparman and would have now reached his maximum score. The pressure was now on Sinckler, who would have to win his game against Cyprian La Touche to join the leaders. After a four-hour marathon Sinckler was able to break down La Touche’s dogged defense and garner victory.

Thus, three players would finish the event with 5 ½ points, and it would be up to the tie-break to determine the final positions. As would be, Sinckler was first followed by Thompson in second and Clarke in third. These players thus grabbed the three available qualifying spots for the 2025 National Open chess championships to be played next month.

Other results in the last round would have seen victories for Othneil Harewood, Aidan Singh and Nia Snow.