Jamaica’s highest ranked chess player Fide Master (FM) Warren Elliott signalled his return to active play with an emphatic first place finish at the 2017 edition of the Frederick Cameron Chess Open, which ended last weekend at Liberty Academy.

Elliott defeated in-form National Master (NM) Kevin Merritt in the final round top-of-the-table clash to finish atop the standings unbeaten with 5.5 points from six games. His only blemish was a draw against Chess Olympiad teammate FM Damion Davy in round four.

With this win, Elliott keeps his chances alive for qualification for the next staging of the National Chess Championships, which are scheduled for February next year.

Second place went to rising junior Nathan Belinfante, who finished on five points, losing only to FM Davy in round three.

There was tie for third place among a slew of four Masters, who each ended on 4.5 points. After tiebreaks were employed NM Kevin Merritt was third, NM Andrew Mellace fourth, FM Joshua Christie fifth and Candidate Master (CM) Russel Porter finished sixth.

Raehanna Brown, who finished with 3.5 points, took the awards for being the top junior female and top female overall. Amongst her more notable victories were wins over CM Leighton Barrett and reigning national women’s champion Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Annesha Smith.