Peter Myers, "Byfield takes Jamaica Open Chess Championship," 16 November 2004 (Kingston, Jamaica).

National Master Geoffrey Byfield beat the odds to win the 2004 Jamaica Open at Hotel Four Seasons over the weekend.

Byfield, who is President of the Liguanea Chess Club, took the Jamaica Open title with a thrilling final round victory over defending champion and pre-tournament favourite FIDE Master Warren Elliott. Byfield ended the tournament unbeaten on 5½ points from 6 games.

Second place went to National Master Duane Rowe who ended unbeaten on 5 points, while third place was shared between Elliot and Andrew Mellace who both ended on 4 points. The best female title went to National Women's Champion Deborah Richards, best Junior was National Junior Champion Brandon Wilson, while the top rural player was Rayon Smith.

The section for players rated under-1800 was won by 14-year-old Camperdown student Damion Davy, who scored 5½ points.

The female section was won by Iyatiti Mokube, who scored a perfect 6 points from six games.

The tournament had 70 competitors and was sponsored by the Jamaica Bauxite Mining Company.

The next Open Chess Tournament on the Jamaica Chess Federation calendar, is the Frederick Cameron Open scheduled to take place December 11 and 12 at the Norman Manley Law School.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 17 November 2004