National Championship

Going into the final weekend of the Jamaica, Warren Elliott holds the slimmest of leads over  the field as he tries for his 4th national title. Elliott is followed by a surging effort from Russel Porter (winner of last three games) and an undefeated Jomo Pitterson. The odds appear to favor Elliott as he will be aided by the fact that both Porter and Pitterson will play in the final round. If Elliott should be held by either Mark Holness or Peter Myers, that could open the door for the either Porter or Pitterson.

President's Invitational

In the concurrent President's tourney, former junior champion Daren Wisdom upset former national team member and National Master John Powell to bolt into the lead. Powell is returning to active play after 11 years of inactivity! Powell was leading the tournament on 6½-½ with Wisdom trailing on 6-1. In their encounter, Powell trot out the Guioco Piano, but the initiative swung in Wisdom's favor. Under pressure, Powell ended up losing a piece and later lost on time. Humphrey Gayle moved into joint 1st with a win. See report here.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 4 May 2005