Jamaica hosts Harold Chan Open
Jamaica will host its annual Hale Chan Open in honor of one of the federation’s first members. The tournament, formerly called the Summer Open, was renamed in 2003 in honour of Dr. Harold Chan who was one of the first three individuals to earn the National Master title in 1975. Chan also won the Jamaica National Chess Championship titles from 1972-74, and 1978-79.
Daaim,
It is actually the “Harold Chan Open”, formerly the Summer Open, but renamed in honour of the Guyanese-born, now retired, medical practitioner who, along with Bob Wheeler and the late Thomas Figeroa became Jamaica’s first-ever national masters in 1975. Several yars ago Dr. Chan told me that his favourtie player was Alekhine. This past weekend NM Geoffrey Byfield successfully defended the title he won in 2007 by notching 5.5/6 with Ras NM Malaku Lorne second on 4.5/6. Yours truly was third on tiebreaks with 4/6, the same no. of points as SNM (Super National Master!) Duane Rowe, NM Russel Porter, and the auspicious juniors Zachary Ramsay and Valence Jordan. A full report will be circulated soon.