Milton Lynch Primary withstood the challenge from the improving People’s Cathedral and St Judes to retain their title and win the fifth annual Providence Invitational Chess Championship last Monday.
The Water Street, Christ Church school won a close contest by three points after the three schools went into the final round of games separated by a mere one point.
Milton Lynch ‘A’, comprising Carifta Games selectee Kimahri Holder, Tequon Pinder, Christian Gill, Damani Layne, Nicodi Gibson, Kevion Perch and Devonte Morris finished with 41 of a maximum 48 points.
Peoples Cathedral’s ‘A’ team of Carifta-bound Rory Prescod and Hannah Wilson, Michael Hall, Joshua Franklin, Kayode Stoute, Zacariah Banfield and Eli Fraser, made tremendous strides on their 12th place of last year to end with 38 points.
With all at stake in the last round, Milton Lynch ‘A’ sealed the championship with a 12-0 win against title challengers St Judes while Peoples Cathedral’s 10-2 victory against Lawrence T. Gay confirmed them as runners-up.
St. Gabriel’s ‘A’, comprising Dominic Marquez, Deon Ewing-Chow, Jared Roy, Jack Hutton, Alec Welsh and Christopher Sands, finished third on 30 points. St Judes and People’s Cathedral ‘B’, who both gained 28 points, completed the top five.
Milton Lynch ‘A’ defeated St Gabriel’s ‘A’ 11-1 in the first round before overcoming People’s Cathedral 8-4 in the second round and rolling over St Gabriel’s ‘B’ 12-0 in the third. The champs, however, were docked two points in the second round for an infringement of the rules.
People Cathedral’s other two wins came through a 12-0 scoreline against St Gabriel’s ‘C’ in the first round and a 10-2 victory against two-time champions Charles F. Broome in the third round.
The championship attracted 19 teams from ten schools and featured more than 110 players. (HG)
