The Central American & Caribbean Under-20 Championships  have begun and the top players from the region will be competing for high stakes. Co-Chair of FIDE's CACDEC, Allan Herbert of Barbados left just after the start of the 1st round and gave the following details,

"Besides National pride there is quite a lot at stake in this tournament. Under the new FIDE title regulations the winner of the tournament gets a 9 game GM norm and an automatic International Master title, if not already and IM. If there is a tie up to 3 players get the IM title but only 1 the GM norm. Same applies to the Women except that it would be Women's GM Norm and Women IM."

The top seeds in the Boys' tournament will be International Masters, Daniel Mieles of Ecuador (2468) and Rafael Prasca of Venezuela (2397); FIDE Masters Manuel Leon (2281) and Ricardo Osorio both of Mexico. Three Caribbean nations will send players to vie for title and thus, earn valuable playing experience. The following Caribbean nations and players are represented:

Posted by The Chess Drum: 16 September 2003