THE University of the West Indies, Mona, successfully equalled their previous score of 2.5 points at the recently concluded Pan American Intercollegiate Chess Championships.

The tournament took place at Princeton University and featured over 25 colleges and universities in the region, including eighteen Grand Masters.

Despite a slow start, the UWI were able to salvage a draw with Lindenwood University in round three. On the third day of action, the UWI defeated both Pennsylvania State University and Arizona State University.

The local team's score put them at second place for universities outside of the United States, an improvement over last year's third place. The UWI narrowly lost the 'best international team' award to the University of Toronto, who finished on four points. The University of Technology (UTech) finished the event with one point.

Second-year actuarial science student Miguel Asher secured four excellent victories from six games for UWI. Overall, he placed an impressive ninth out of 43 players who competed on 'board four'. Other team members included Paul Brooks, Zachary Ramsay and National Master Stuart James.

The trip was made possible by the support of the Office of the Vice Chancellor.