Peter Myers, "Lorne romps New Year's Chess,"  Jamaican Chess Federation, 17 January 2006 (Clarendon, Jamaica).

National Master Malaku Lorne, a final year History major at the University of the West Indies, marked his return to active play, by winning the 2006 New Year's Chess Open at the Shirley Retreat House over the weekend.

Lorne brushed aside Equitable Brown in the final round on Sunday, to end with 5.5 points from 6 games to top the field of 75 competitors. He finished a full point ahead of his nearest rivals Brown and National Master Russel Porter, who both ended on 4.5 points to take joint second.

The Amateur Section was won by Melisha Smith of Queens High, who finished with 5 points from 6 games. The next three competitors, Amari Graham, Paul Brooks and Kadeem Knight also ended on 5 points, but Smith took the first place trophy on tie-break.

Smith also took the best female prize, while Jared Lewis was awarded the best Under 14 prize and Damani Reid received the prizes for best player under 12 and under 10.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 19 January 2006