For the second year running, Jamaica’s Chess Whiz Kids Academy dominated proceedings at the 2018 American Youth Chess Foundation Grand Championship which was held at Sea World in Orlando, Florida, USA, from June 1-3.

In the Under 1900 section of the tournament, which had some fierce battles, Chess Whiz Kids Academy held their ground and fought hard as Nicholas Lyn finished in second place unbeaten after two days, while his teammate Malik Gayle was relegated to seventh-place just outside of the podium. The team got the second place trophy for their combined effort.

The Under 1600 rating section was way more intense and again Chess Whiz Kids held their ground and forged through with Darren McKennis taking home second place, while Jaden Shaw and Kyle Pratt took third and fifth place, respectively. However their combined results were enough to take home the first- place team award.

Under 1300 rating section, which also lasted for two days, saw Armani Dyer finishing atop the tournament. Dyer came home on a perfect six of six points, while his supporting teammate Anthony Lyn finished in fifth place. The team also brought home the first-place team trophy for the club.

The Under 1000 rating section, which ran over two days also, saw a dominant Chess Whiz Kids Academy team comprising Antonic Chung and Demarie Comerie finish in first and second, respectively, and also taking home the first-place team trophy as well for the club.

Chess Whiz Kids Academy also dominated the Under 700 and Under 400 sections. The Under 700 had Michael Graham and Dylan Blagrove-Lewis battling their way to the top, finishing first and third, respectively.

The Under 400 saw a similar result from Najae Powell and Rohit Mahtani. Powell swept his section with a perfect five of five points to take first place, with Mahtani settling with four of five points for second.

Chess Whiz Kids Academy also took home the first-place trophies for both the Under 400 and 700 team sections.

In the intense battle in the bughouse competition, the team of Jaden Shaw and Anthony Lyn placed first overall as they also took home the second-, third-, fifth- and sixth-place trophies in the 10-team competition.

The Under 400 and 700 did the double, taking first and second in the Under 400 section, just reversing the roles this time with Mantani first and Powell second.

The Under 700 section saw first and sixth place on the final day of competition going to Michael Graham and Dylan Blagrove-Lewis.

The Open Bliz Championship saw four of the Chess Whiz Kids Academy players making the podium with Darren McKennis — second; Malik Gayle — third; Nicholas Lyn — fourth; and Jaden Shaw — fifth.

The Under 1200 section also had two Chess Whiz Kids making the podium, with Antonic Chung getting first place and Kyle Pratt, fourth.

Winning coach National Master Ryan Blackwood shared how proud he was to be leading these youngsters and very pleased when Chess Whiz Kids Academy was awarded the most outstanding club award for the tournament.

A total of 81 youngsters across eight sections, four countries and three competitions participated in this year’s staging of the 2018 American Youth Chess Foundation Grand Championships.

Kyle Pratt and Jaden Shaw received scholarship awards for the second year running, while Darren McKennis, Armani Dyer and Nicholas Lyn were first-time recipients of scholarship grants.