The Jamaican chess fraternity is abuzz with excitement following the exceptional performance of fromer CM Malaku Lorne, who scored seven points from his nine games to place joint second (third on tiebreak), in the 2.3.5 Sub-Zonal Chess Tournament held in Barbados from April 28 to May 2.

Lorne’s performance saw him earning the international title of FIDE Master (FM) — only the eighth Jamaican to do so — and the right to represent Jamaica in the Zonal Tournament, which will include players from regional chess giants such as Cuba and Colombia.

Lorne got off to a flying start with four straight wins and a draw, which had him tied in the lead with the eventual tournament winner FM Mark Machin of Puerto Rico, going into round six. Lorne faltered in round six against German Salazar of Venezuela, but recovered nicely to secure 2.5 points from his last three games and a share of the second prize.

Jamaica’s Federation President Ian Wilkinson, in celebrating Lorne’s achievement, hailed him as “one of Jamaica’s best chess players over the past decade, who brought further glory to Jamaica with a magnificent performance”.

The tournament winner, Puerto Rican FM Mark Machin, was the only unbeaten player with a score of eight points from his nine games, inclusive of two draws, (one of which was against Lorne) and seven victories. This performance earned Machin the International Master (IM) title.

The Sub-Zonal also featured four other Jamaicans, including local chess icon and seven-time National Chess champion of Jamaica FM Shane ‘The Magician’ Matthews, who secured six points to place seventh; FM Warren Elliott, reigning and record eight-time Jamaica National champion, who ended 14th with five points; National Master Daren Wisdom, who placed 16th with 4.5 points, which earned him the FIDE Candidate Master (CM) title; and a clearly below-par FM Damion Davy, three-time Jamaica champion, who placed 24th on tie-break, also with 4.5 points.

The tournament featured a field of 44 players from 11 countries across the region, ingluding Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Jamaica, Netherland Antilles (Curacao), Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela.