Byfield takes Jamaican Open!
NATIONAL MASTER Geoffrey Byfield is the 2009 Jamaica Chess Open Champion. Byfield copped the title at Jamaica College last weekend, finishing unbeaten on five points from six games after securing a critical final round victory over the defending champion National Master Andrew Mellace. In the final round top-of-the-table-clash, Byfield took top honours after capitalizing on an unsound two-piece sacrifice by Mellace.
Second place went to local legend National Master Shane ‘the Magician’ Matthews, who ended on 4.5 points, the same as National Master Russel Porter, who was relegated to third after the tiebreak system was employed.
In the Intermediate section for players with a Jamaica Chess Federation rating below 1600, Kingston College’s Michael Antoine took home his second straight intermediate title, after ending perfect on six points from six games. Second place went to Creg Johnson who finished on five points, the same as Alethia Edwards and Noel Brown, each of whom were relegated to third and fourth respectively on tiebreak.
The Amateur Section for players with a Jamaica Chess Federation rating below 1200 was won by Leon Bennett who finished perfect on five points from as many games. Second place went to Jordan Treasure who ended on 4.5 points, while third was shared by six players who each ended on four points, Shemar Morrison, Amsha Carby, Rachel Miller, Othniel Barnes, Malik Buchanan and Helric Lee.
Other category prizes were awarded as follows:
Best Female Open – Margoe Williams,
Best Female Intermediate – Alethia Edwards
Best Junior – Amari Graham
Best Rural Player – Samuel Lamount
Best Expert (rated 1800-1999) – Amari Graham
Best Class A (rated 1600 – 1799) – Margoe Williams
Best Class B – (rated 1400 – 1599) – Noel Brown
Best Class C (rated 1399 – 1200) – Jonathan Pitterson
Best Class D (rated 1299 – 1100) – Myles Harrison
Best Class E (rated 1099 and below) – Leon Bennett
Best New Player – Terroy Syborn
Best Under 14 – Jonothan Pitterson
Best Under 12 – Shreyas Smith
Best Under 10 – Elias Issa
The tournament which had 104 entrants, was sponsored by Pepsi, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Caribbean Broilers, Wata and the Jamaica Public Service Company.
The next tournament on the Jamaica Chess Federation Calendar is the Clarendon Open, which is scheduled, take place on November 14 and 15.