Del Castilho takes clear lead in 2025 national Open Chess Championship

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FIDE master Martyn Del Castilho has taken firm control of the 2025 national Open chess championship at the end of the fourth round which came to completion on Sunday at the Liberal Arts Gallery, Barbados Community College, this weekend.Del Castilho defeated the then co-leader Justin Kirton in what was a top of the table clash to claim the sole overall lead with 4 points from his 4 games. Playing his favorite French defense opening Kirton could not withstand a determined Del Castilho who has his eyes sighted on retaining his national championship title.Kirton now sits in clear second place in the 10-player field with three points from his four games, his only blemish being against the leader Del Castilho.National Under 16 champion Noah Clarke is in third place with 2 ½ points. Clarke had a good Sunday at the event when he defeated Jsutin Parsons and Emar Edwards, two players who would have represented Barbados at recent chess Olympiads.Mileke Sinckler, Ronaldo Rochester, Dr. Philip Corbin and Jeremiah Farley all share the 4th – 7th spot with two points. Farley, the youngest in the field at 11 years old, has shown great resilience so far. After losing both his opening games on the opening Saturday, he bounced back with two victories on Sunday including a massive upset against Emar Edwards. Parsons, Boris Thompson and Edwards round out the field in the 10- player , all play all event.In an event that has so far seen many upsets, Del Castilho has been the one to keep his composure and with the other five games over the next weekend, it is difficult to see if anyone will be able to dethrone him of his crown.

Wilson and Del Castilho start defense of chess titles in style

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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.

Wilson places fourth in PanAmerican School Chess Championship 2025 Under 17 Girls

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Hannah Wilson finished a credible fourth place in the Under 17 female section  at the 2025 PanAmerican Schools Chess Championship which concluded in Florianopolis Brazil at the end of this week.

Going into the last two rounds of the event, Wilson would have needed two victories and  hope that those above her would have slipped up if she was to finish in a podium position.In the 8th and penultimate round, Wilson defeated Giannini Tonial Kinaki of Brazil to keep her hopes up but the three players above her also recorded victories. This meant it would all come down to the last round where Wilson  again would have to hope for fortuitous results if she was to improve her position.

Wilson would unfortunately fall to defeat in the last round against Fiorella Allegra Mayeregger Gonzalez of Paraguay and this would leave her on 5 points from 9 games. This would secure her fourth place on the tie-break system ahead of two other players.The tournament was won by Ayme  Maravi Ceron of Peru with 7 ½ points from her 9 matches, with Claris Dias of Brazil in second a half point behind, while Luciana Andrea Arenas Lavado of Peru was in third with 6 ½ points.

Wilson in fourth, while Jaikaran and Gonsalves clinch local chess events

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Aaron Jaikaran won the rated section of the 2025 VEX chess tournament, while Maximus Gonsalves captured the novice section as the action in the event wrapped up earlier in the week.

Jaikaran eked out a narrow victory on tie-break as he finished on 6 ½ points from his 7 games, which was the same as Savion Little. However, using the second tie-break as they had drawn their direct encounter, saw Jaikaran coming out ahead by the slimmest of margins.

It all came down to an exciting last round where both Aaron Jaikaran and Little were the two players in contention for the overall tournament victory. Jaikaran faced off against national female player Leshay Springer, while Little was matched against Sameera Jaikaran, Aaron's younger sister. Aaron was able to subdue Springer relatively easily but Little had to put in overtime against Sameera to ensure victory and after both leaders had won, it was down to the tie-break system which favored Aaron.

Charis Stuart finished in clear third position on 5 points after winning his last round game against Chaz Reifer-Belle.

Stuart finished a point ahead of a group of players on 4 points which included Cyprian LaTouche, Jacob Benajamin-Layson and Caleb Latchman, players who all won their final games.

Gonsalves take Novice Section

In the Novice section Maximus Gonsalves scored an impressive 6 points from his 7 games to claim a clear victory.

Maximus finished a point above Dominic Cadogan whom he had initially lost to in round 1. He then won 6 games in a row to claim a memorable victory. Cadogan finished in second on 5 points , ahead of Ethan John- Clement who finished third on 4 points in the almost dozen player field in this section.

Wilson in fourth in PanAmerican School Championship

Woman FIDE master continues her progress in the 2025 Pan American School Under 17 female section being played in Brazil. In her last day's matches, she had contrasting results. In the morning round, she defeated Consuelo Villegas Ampuero of Chile, but then fell to defeat to Fiorella Allegra Mayeregger Gonzalez of Paraguay in the evening round, the current leader of the event. This has left Wilson with 3 ½ points from her 6 games and sitting in fourth position, a half point behind the third-place player. She will need to finish strong in her last three matches to ensure a medal position.

2025 VEXX chess tournament begins with heated action

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After two rounds of the 2025 VEXX chess tournament being held at the Christie Building, Barbados Light and Power company, Garrison, St. Michael, a group of leaders have emerged in both the Rated and Novice sections of the event.In the Rated section, three players share the lead with two victories from their matches so far.

These are three top rated seeds Savion Little, Amari Blackett and Aaron Jaikaran. In the last round, Savion defeated the veteran Cyprian La Touche, Jaikaran won with the black pieces from Charis Stuart and Blackett won from Alfred Sparman.

The important matches next round will see Jaikaran with the white pieces against Little, while Springer will battle against Blackett.Leshay Springer sits in sole 4th position with 1 ½ points . She won a nice game in round two against Aidan Singh to lie close to the three leaders.

Other results in the round saw victories for Janiyah Browne, Jacob Benjamin – Layson and Chaz Reifer-Belle.In the Novice section, Ethan Clement-John and Dominic Cadogan share the lead with two points each. Cadogan defeated Lukas Coppin, while Clement-John won against Naja Howard . Other victors in the round were Evan Nascimento and Maximus Gonsalves. The two leaders will clash in the third round.

Sinckler wins Dr. Philip Corbin chess tournament

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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.

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Five players lead the 2025 Dr. Philip Corbin Open chess event

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Five players are tied for the lead of the 2025 Dr. Philip Corbin Open chess tournament after 5 of the 7 rounds have been completed.
After a tumultuous last round played at the Main Guard, Garrison Savannah over the weekend, Mileke Sinckler, Boris Thompson, Dr. Alfred Sparman, Noah Clarke and veteran Othneil Harewood all have 3 ½ points from their 5 matches and will all be in with a chance of grabbing the three qualifying spots for the 2025 Open national chess championship to be played later in the year.
In round 5, the wily Harewood pulled off an upset when he defeated the then sole leader in Sinckler. In a game where the higher rated Sinckler was the favorite, many pundits thought it would be business as usual for Sinckler as he has been in good form of late, recently capturing the Caricom Under 16 championship which was played in Guyana earlier this month. However, Harewood had other ideas and after a long and grueling contest which lasted over four intense hours, Harewood was able to force victory.
While Clarke and Thompson played to a quick draw in their match on board 2, another major upset was occurring on the board next to them. Sparman was battling against Cyprian La Touche, where again, La Touche was the clear favorite. Results are, however, based on what happens on the day, and the day belonged to Dr. Sparman as he was able to cope with La Touche’s unorthodox style and inflict a memorable defeat on la Touche.
Other results in the round saw victories for Kiarra Eversley, Isaiah Archer and Charis Stuart. Eversley and Archer now find themselves just off the leaders on three points and will still be in contention.
In the next round, important matchups will see Dr. Sparman against Sinckler, Harewood versus Clarke, and Archer will be up against Thompson. In an event that has turned out to be a battle of youth versus experience, it will come down to the last round to be played this Monday at 6.00 p.m. at the Main Guard to determine the top three positions to qualify and move forward to the Open national finals.

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

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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.

Barbados Inches Closer to CARICOM Chess Podium with Back-to-Back Win

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GEORGETOWN, GUYANA —  Barbados’ national chess team is on the brink of a podium finish at the 2025 CARICOM Classic Team Chess Championships after delivering two emphatic victories in Rounds 6 and 7 against Guyana Juniors and St. Lucia.

Round 6: A Perfect Sweep

In their most dominant performance yet, the Bajans swept Guyana Juniors 4–0, with wins from Emar Edwards on Board 1, Kemp Lynch on Board 2, Woman Candidate Master Channon Reifer-Belle on Board 3 and Leshay Springer on Board 4.

Their opponents—Ricardo Narine, Kishan Puran, Italy Ton-Chung, and Anaya Lall—were outmaneuvered in a clinical display of tactical precision.

Round 7: Commanding Win Over St. Lucia

Barbados followed up with a 3–1 victory over St. Lucia. Lynch, Reifer-Belle, and Springer secured wins against Candidate Master Kaieem Elizee, Woman Candidate Master Chelsea Wahid, and Kiara Lambert. Edwards, locked in a tense bishop-versus-knight endgame, blundered late against Sixtus Gabriel, denying Barbados another clean sweep.

Team Standings Heat Up

With just two rounds remaining, the race for the podium is razor-thin with Trinidad & Tobago in 1st with 13 match points, Jamaica 2nd with 12 match points, Suriname   3rd with 11 match points and 20½ game points, Barbados 4th with 11 macth points 19 game points and Guyana A 5th with 10 match points.

Junior Showdown: Barbados Still in the Hunt

In the individual junior competition, Mileke Sinckler leads with 5½ points after drawing with Suriname’s Thie-Yen Fung and Barbados’ Noah Clarke in Rounds 6 and 7. Clarke also sits on 5½ points but trails on tie-breaks.

Aaron Jaikaran, previously undefeated, suffered his first loss to Guyana’s Alexander Zhang and now sits in 5th place with 5 points. Zhang and Fung are in 3rd and 4th, respectively, based on tie-breaks.

Meanwhile, Sameera Jaikaran, Barbados’ Under-10 Female Champion, surged to 14th place with back-to-back wins over Tharisha Montes de Oca and Rafael Park, bringing her total to 4½ points.

What’s Next?

The final rounds promise fireworks with Barbados vs Jamaica in a podium-deciding clash in the team event. Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana A and Suriname vs Cayman Islands in matches that could also reshape the leaderboard.

In the junior division, Sinckler and Clarke face Guyana’s Zhang and Micaiah Enoe, while Aaron Jaikaran takes on Alek Ubaldo-Singh. Sameera Jaikaran meets Suriname’s Ky-Mani Wijnhard.

Barbados Juniors Dominate CARICOM Chess Podium After Five Rounds

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Barbados Juniors Dominate CARICOM Chess Podium After Five Rounds

Georgetown, Guyana —  Barbados’ rising chess stars are making waves at the 2025 CARICOM Classic Junior Chess Championships, with a commanding performance that sees three of its top players occupying the top three spots after five rounds of play.

National Under-16 Champion Noah Clarke, Under-14 Champion Aaron Jaikaran, and standout junior Mileke Sinckler have surged to the top of the individual standings, each with 4½ points out of a possible 5. Sinckler currently leads the pack, followed closely by Clarke and Jaikaran in second and third, respectively.

Clarke’s fifth-round victory was a tournament highlight, as he outmaneuvered top seed Ravish Ramesar of Suriname in a grueling 71-move battle on Board 1. Jaikaran and Sinckler also delivered decisive wins over Suriname’s Ky-Mani Wijnhard and Guyana’s Mahir Rajkumar, respectively, after drawing against each other in Round 4.

Under-10 Female Champion Sameera Jaikaran holds 2½ points and sits in 25th position. She drew her fourth-round match against Guyana’s 7th seed Alexander Zhang but fell in Round 5 to Nicholas Zhang, also of Guyana.

Team Barbados Climbs to Fourth in CARICOM Team Standings

Barbados also made significant strides in the team competition, moving into 4th place behind defending champions Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, and Suriname.

In Round 4, Barbados drew 2-2 with Guyana A, thanks to a crucial win by Leshay Springer on Board 4. Woman Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle and Emar Edwards held their own with solid draws, while Kemp Lynch was edged out on Board 2.

Round 5 saw Barbados overpower Dominica 3½–½, with Edwards, Lynch, and Reifer-Belle all scoring victories. Springer added a half-point with a draw against Ayani Casimir.

Meanwhile, Trinidad & Tobago tightened their grip on the CARICOM Trophy with a 2½–1½ win over second-place Jamaica, following a 4–0 sweep of Guyana B in Round 4. The standings now show Trinidad & Tobago leading with 10 match points, Jamaica in second with 8, and Suriname in third with 8, but trailing on game points. Barbados sits just behind with 7 match points.

What’s Next?

In Round 6, Barbados faces Guyana Juniors in team play. The Junior individual competition features a thrilling all-Bajan clash at the top of the table as Jaikaran takes on Clarke. Sinckler will face Suriname’s Thie-Yen Fung, while Sameera Jaikaran is paired against Tharisha Montes de Oca of Guyana.

With momentum building and podium dreams within reach, Barbados’ juniors are proving that the future of Caribbean chess is bright—and Bajan.