The Barbados Chess Federation’s National Open and Female chess championships began this weekend at the Visual Arts Gallery, Barbados Community College, Howells X Road, St. Michael in earnest.

Both events are being played as 10- player round robin events, that is where each player will get to play with each of the other ones in the tournament for a maximum of 9 games.

Both defending champions, FIDE master Martyn Del Castilho and woman FIDE master Hannah Wilson are looking to repeat as champions but will face stiff and determined challenges from several persons in their respective events.

In the Open section first round, Del Castilho started his defense confidently as he defeated the number two seed in the event Emar Edwards. Edwards was holding the position, but a simple one move blunder allowed Del Castilho to win a piece which he duly converted this advantage into victory. It continued a bad week for the ace road tennis player.

Justin Kirton showed glimpses of his form as a junior player some time ago as he masterfully outplayed the current Under 16 champion Noah Clarke.
An upset occurred when junior player Mileke Sinckler in his first national finals defeated the higher rated Justin Parsons. FIDE master Philip Corbin got his umpteenth national finals off to a bright start with a victory over Boris Thompson while Ronaldo Rochester was able to defeat the young upstart, Jeremiah Farley also in his first national finals.

In the Female section, Wilson set the tone for her event when she quickly defeated Laura Nicholls in round one. Out of a fiery opening, Wilson was able to tactically out- duel Nicholls which led to Nicholls losing several pieces and eventually the game. The next result saw Kayla Culpepper winning from Janiyah Browne. Culpepper was able to conjure up an attack in the middle game which eventually led to Browne being checkmated.
Gaybrianna Moore and Leshay Springer battled to a long hard draw, while the game between Daesha Rose Parris and Jaeda Herbert was postponed.

Other results in the round saw woman candidate master Chanon Reifer-Belle defeat Sameera Jaikaran in a workwoman like fashion.

The chess action will continue this Sunday at the Barbados Community College with matches being played at 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. respectively.