With the last open tournament being held in Mandeville in 2014, FIDE Master (FM) Malaku Lorne reigned supreme once again as he captured the inaugural Heaven’s Fesco Manchester chess Open held last weekend at the Belair High School.

After sharing the John Powell Memorial Open title in 2014 with FIDE Candidate Master (FCM) Daren Wisdom, FM Lorne returned to the cool parish to win the new tournament on an undefeated five points from six games. His notable victories in the tournament came against National Absolute Champion FM Shreyas Smith, National Absolute Junior Champion FCM Malik Curriah and National Under-18 Absolute Champion National Master (NM) Akeem Brown.

These games came down to the wire in critical endgames, but FM Lorne tactically manoeuvred his way to victory.

NM Raheem Glaves, from St Catherine High, finished in second place on 4.5 points, while Nathan Hinds finished in third place ahead of FM Smith, who also finished on four points. This was as a result of Hinds’ surprising win against the number one seed in the first round.

Despite being the only female player in the section, National Female Junior Champion Raehanna Brown surely made her ability known during the tournament. Apart from finishing tied fifth (sixth on tiebreak) on 3.5 points and claiming two other prizes, Raehanna Brown drew NM Brown and FCM Kevin Merritt with a memorable win against Odane Hall in the third round.

Much is left to be seen from the junior player who has won the best female player in the last three tournaments and will be representing Jamaica next week at the Carifta Games in Curaçao.

FIDE Under 1600 Section

Kingston College student Antonic Chung won his first tournament after overwhelming his opponents to finish on a superb six points. In addition to his tournament victory, Chung was awarded the best Under-14 player and best player in his rating category.

His most impressive game was his round-four victory against number one seed Rahjay Ellis, which saw the unstoppable Chung crushing Ellis’ position.

Second and third place went to Rahjay Ellis and Creton Bourne, who finished on five and 4.5 points, respectively. The best female player prize went to Belair’s Khali Campbell, who finished on three points and defeated number seven seed Giovanni Martin in the third round. Woman Candidate Master Zaina O’Connor was declared the second best female player over Aalyah Derby after both players finished on two points each.

JCF Under 1300 Rapid Section

After a hectic final two rounds, Bright Beginnings student Malachi Norgaard was the overall winner of the section on 5.5 points and the best Under-10 player. His fifth-round game against mutual leader Dontae Bisasor was a close moment where he nearly lost the game and overall title. However, in the mutual time scramble, the jubilant Bisasor ended up stalemating his opponent with his queen to draw the game.

With this newfound opportunity, Norgaard seized his chance and won his final round game against Gawain Morrison, while Bisasor erred in his final game by blundering his queen in a winning position and eventually lost the game.

Second place was a tie among three players who each finished on five points at the end of the tournament. After tiebreaks, Dajarny Rodgers was adjudged second with Nicholas Sherrard and Khalil Johnson placing third and fourth, respectively. Dontae Bisasor finished in fifth place on 4.5 points.

Anya Tyme was declared the best female player over Kartica Carter with both players finishing on three points. Rhonea Foster and Abigay Pommells were third and fourth, respectively, after they each finished on 2.5 points.

The tournament was made possible by title sponsor Heaven’s Fesco Gas Station, Belair High School, the Sports Development Foundation and Magnificent Chess Foundation.

— David Rose