Deborah Richards bested  Martyn Del Castihlo in the finale of the Sagicor Junior Open. Winning with the white pieces, she would draw even with Del Castihlo on 7-1, but he would take the title on tiebreak. Del Castihlo is both the defending Sagicor champion and the Barbados Junior Champion.

Jamaica's only female master chopped her way through the Sagicor field losing only to compatriot Christopher Buchanan, the current Jamaican Junior Champion. Buchanan finishing 3rd-5th position with Bajans Craig Clermond and Shamel Howell with 6½-1½.  Brandon Wilson, Jamaica's under-18 Champion was 6th place with 6-2.

Deborah Richards scored a sparkling 7-1 at the Sagicor Junior Open. Photo by Barbados Chess Federation.

Rising star Philip Pryce won the under-12 prize with 5½-3½. During the recent wedding festivities of Ian Wilkinson, Jamaica's Chess Federation President, players in attendance were following the results with great interest. Jamaica sent nine players to Barbados and made quite a strong showing. This result ended a successful two-week campaign for Richards who also participated in the Central American and Caribbean under-20 Championships scoring 5½-3½.

Standings

Posted by The Chess Drum: 26 August 2005