After two-thirds of the 2025 Heroes Day chess festival has been completed, there is a clear leader in each of the sections.In the masters’ section, Cuban grandmaster Luis Aguero Jimenez has a clear lead with 4 points from 5 games played so far. In his last round he defeated local Emar Edwards in a match where the grandmaster showed his in-depth experience and knowledge of the game.Sitting in joint second of the now 5 player field are Colombian FIDE master Agel Cordoba and Venezuelan international master Felix Ynojosa who each have 2 ½ points each. Locals international master Terry Farley and Emar Edwards both have one point.In the challengers’ section of the event, candidate master Justin Parsons leads with 5 points from his 6 matches.

In his last game Parsons drew against Kemp Lynch in a tough encounter. Ronaldo Rochester and Adam Roachford share second position with 4 ½ points. Rochester defeated the third ranked Justin Kirton, while Roachford had an emphatic victory over Savion Little. Lynch and Kirton have 4 points to lie in 4th and 5th position and would still fancy their chances of winning in the 20-player field.

In the novice section of the event, Aidan Singh has a slight half-point lead over Derick Boyce. Singh has 5 ½ points, while Boyce has 5 points. Singh will however feel contented knowing that he has defeated Boyce in their head-to-head contest. Darren Toppin lies in 3rd position with 4 ½ points, just ahead of Jefferson Farley and Zefan Scott. The winners of the event will be most likely from this group of players.The action will climax on May Day at the Divi Southwinds conference room with matches at 10.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m.