INTERNATIONAL Master Terry Farley won the second qualifier for the National Chess Championships which concluded last weekend at the Chess Club in Cavans Lane, St Michael, after nine intense rounds.
No. 1 seed Farley was in form and finished with eight out of a possible nine points to win from Kevin Daniel and FIDE Master Dr Philip Corbin.
Farley suffered an early setback, losing to Jerome Harewood of the Lodge School, but he rebounded by defeating main rivals Daniel in Round 5 and Corbin in Round 7.
There were many dramatic games in Round 7, particularly the one between Kemp Lynch of the Garrison School and Jakeel Harewood, Jerome’s twin brother, also from Lodge, who battled to a draw in a complicated queen and pawn ending.
The game drew favourable comments from International Master Kevin Denny, who was observing.
Diego Thompson of University of the West Indies misplayed his opening and lost to Dwayne Gilkes, while lady luck smiled on Jakeel Harewood, as Steven Lucas blundered his queen when he was in a winning position and was forced to resign.
Farley, Daniel, Corbin, Jerome Harewood, Lucas (a first-time qualifier), and Lynch have qualified for the national finals.
Those advancing from the first qualifier were Yu Tien Poon, Delisle Warner, Orlando Husbands, Cleveston Ifill and Bryan Prescod.
All these players will be vying to take Martyn Del Castilho’s national crown. (PR/EZS)
