Blackman is chess queen

KATRINA BLACKMAN of the Lodge School dethroned last year’s champion Corrine Howard of the University of the West Indies to become only the second female to win the Sagicor Open junior chess tournament.Blackman finished on five-and-a-half points to win on a tie-break from Lawrence Depradine also of Lodge who also garnered the same number of points.Blackman struck the lead in Round 4 when she despatched the favourite Howard. However, Depradine upset Blackman in Round 5 and he then took clear first for the lead.In last roundHowever, in Round 6, a draw for Depradine against Under-20 natonal junior champion Akeem Cox, and a win for Blackman against Christopher Gibson of Coleridge and Parry meant both players went into the last round on four-and-a-half points.The pundits would have favoured Blackman who faced unheralded Adrian Guppy of The St Michael School, while Depradine faced off against Howard who still believed she had a chance to regain her crown as she was only half point behind the joint leaders. An enthralling battle took place between Depradine and Howard until eventually Howard succumbed. Blackman duly disposed of Guppy and it was down to the tie-breaker. Third place went to Cox with four-and-a-half points, while Howard was fourth on four points, just ahead of Darren Beckes, who also finished on four.A special girls prize was also given to Kara King. Last round winners also included Nellon Collymore and Steffan Nurse. (PR)