Barbados made a satisfying start to the 7th Carifta Chess Championships in Suriname, yesterday.
The Bajans, seeking to become the first team to win the title three times, scored 15 wins from their 22 games in the opening round of matches at the Ministry of Finance Building in Paramaribo.
Yeshua Hill set the tone for Barbados’ success by completing the first victory in the boys’ Under-16 division where they registered a perfect record following later wins from double Carifta medallist Leigh Sandiford, Aaron Haynes, Tyson Holder and debutant Taiye Estwick.
The Bajans also completed a 100 per cent winning record in the boys’ Under-20 category after captain Nitin Mahtani and Shane Maughn achieved victories.
Barbados’ Under-12 boys also performed commendably, scoring four wins from their five games. The victories came from reigning national Under-12 champion Dominic Jackman, two-time national Under-10 champion Jaydn Gill and first-timers Tarquin Clark and Rory Prescod.
It was tougher for the girls in spite of success for last year’s Under-12 silver medallist Vanessa Greenidge and 2016 Under-12 gold medallist Azaria Johnson, who both won their Under-16 games. Greenidge defeated Gaybrianna Moore in an all-Bajan contest.
Another debutant, Hannah Wilson, was the lone winner in the Under-12 girls’ category, while Pritika Kandamaran battled to a draw in the girls’ Under-16 division.
More than 170 players are participating in the Championships that have attracted eight countries – hosts Suriname, Barbados, last year’s champions Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Aruba, Curacao and Bermuda. (BCF)