The Uzbekistan Grand Master Timur Gareyev completed his domination of the JNBS UWI Chess Open during the Masters section when he defeated Jamaican FIDE Master Jomo Pitterson recently at the Assembly Hall, UWI, Mona.

He copped a total of eight points from a possible nine, thus gaining the title of Caribbean Collegiate champion. International Master Margvelashvili and International Master (IM) Zivanic followed in second and third places, respectively, with 7.5 and 6.5 points. National Master (NM) Shane Matthews of Jamaica, placed an impressive fourth, after securing a well-fought draw with IM Margvelasvhili. Marcus Joseph, the national champion of Trinidad and Tobago, made an exciting comeback when he defeated both Jamaica’s top player, FIDE Master Warren Elliott and Swedish FIDE Master Bengt Hammar in tactical style.

Daren Wisdom captured the UWI Open Championship after placing ahead of National Master Mark Holness on the tiebreak when both finished on five points. UWI’s National Master Damion Davy captured third place in the UWI Open Championship with 4.5 points after splitting the point in a very close encounter with long-time rival National Master Russell Porter.

In other sections, over 200 participants sparred for the other sectional titles. Lawrence Foreman and Justin Lowe won the Under-12 section, while Shreyas Smith captured the Under-16 section, all on perfect scores. Rachel Miller, Elias Issa and Aldeam Facey were victorious in the beginners section.

The tournament was organised by the UWI Chess Society and is designed to promote chess both at the university and national level. President of the UWI Chess Society, Zachary Ramsay said he “was proud of the involvement of the young chess players” and sees the second staging of this tournament as being in keeping with the mandate of the society, as they seek to incorporate chess into the culture of the university and improve the intellectual drive and capacity of its students while striving to challenge a new generation of Caribbean chess players.

Part proceeds from the event will be donated to the improvement of the National Children’s Home, the society’s outreach project.