The Serge Island 2017 Age Group Chess Championships was completed over two weekends in February, with more than 400 young players participating in a packed hall at St George’s College Auditorium.

In the Under-8 Absolute category, six-year-old Cameron Coe and seven-year-old Christian Rampair never lost a game between each other, and drew in a head-to-head match. The winner of the National title was eventually decided by a high-pressured play-off at the end of the day. In the end, defending champion Coe prevailed, retaining his National Under-8 title for the second year in a row. With Rampair securing the second spot, Kanye Scarlet, Najae Powell and Matthew Cummings rounded out the top five.

Kishan Clarke was crowned the champion with 5.5 points at the end of the day in the Under-10 Absolute category. There were several ties for second place on five points in this category, and on computer tie-breakJaden Shaw came second, Bryan Smart third, Krish Khemlani fourth, and Anthony Lyn fifth.

The Under-12 Absolute category also had an exciting finish, with CM David Thomas ending the tournament on 5.5 points. In his final round, Nathan Walsh with 4.5 points battled with former Under-10 champion Darren McKennis at the end of the day, to win the final point and meet Thomas in a playoff for the title. The Walsh-McKennis match ended in a draw, leaving Walsh with just five points for second place and Thomas as the undisputed national Under-12 champion. Christopher Udeagha placed third, just ahead of 10-year-old Jaden Shaw and nine-year-old Kishan Clarke, who gave impressive performances for fourth and fifth places, respectively.

In the competitive Under-14 Absolute category, Nicholas Lyn came out on top with 5.5 points, ahead of the category favourite Angelus McDonald in second place. Shaheem Richards, Tajae Morgan and Davielo Wright rounded out the top five.

Joshua Christie, who recently qualified to play in the Nationals (and tied for sixth in that event) came out on top in the Under-16 Absolute category, with 5.5/6 points. Runners up included Jhustice McDonald, Akeem Brown, Raheem Glaves and Rashade Lungrin in the top five.

In the Under-18 category, Akeem Brown, who also recently played in the Senior Nationals, came out on top with 5.5 points, finshing ahead of Joshua Christie, Raheem Glaves, Jhustice McDonald and Malik Curriah.

The tournament brought out one of the largest contingents of female players ever seen for the event. Zaina O’Connor came out on top in the Under-8 category with a perfect six points, with Seanna Palmer in second place and Melieka Palmer in third.

In the Under-10 category, Laila Griffiths proved too much for her competitors, ending the tournament on a perfect six points, ahead of Jaya Rene Richards in second, Gabriella Watson in third, Arielle McKoy in fourth, and Danielle Elliott in fifth.

With 23 players in the Under-12 category, the future of female chess is looking bright. Raehanna Brown, one of the up-and-coming young players, overcame all her competition to take the top spot in the Under-12 category with 6/6 points. Johmoi Blake, Jeshana Vincent, Rihanna Collister and Daniella Rose rounded out the top five.

In the Under-14 category, Adani Clarke dominated with a perfect score of six points, ahead of rival Aulanni Kidd in second place and Johmoi Blake in third. Zara Ranglin and Leann Chai rounded out the top five.

The Under-16 category ended in dramatic style with a play-off for the title on Sunday evening between Aulanni Kidd and the highest-rated player in the section, Adani Clarke. When the championship could not be decided after two rounds of rapid play, the girls played two rounds of Blitz (five minutes on the clock, each side), which resulted in another draw, leaving a win in Armageddon for Adani Clarke to win the title. Ashanti Blackwood finished third overall.

FM Warren Elliott, one of the chief organisers of the event, said: “You hate to see anyone lose in that situation, but there can only be one winner! It was an intense and exciting finale to the weekend.”

In the Under-18 category, Ashanti Blackwood was named champion with 5.5 points, ahead of Sheanel Gardner, Davica Chambers, Nickaylah Curwin, and Akelia Donaldson.

The National Age Group Chess Championship was sponsored by Serge Island and is one of the most prestigious events on the Jamaica Chess Federation calendar. Players who win their categories arenational representatives for Jamaica in each category and will have the opportunity to compete on the international stage throughout 2017, under the auspices of the Jamaica Chess Federation, and with the support of Corporate Jamaica.