The 2024 National Age Group Chess Championship held at Summit Kingston was the largest ever in Jamaica’s history, seeing over 400 participants competing to become national chess champions.

The Jamaica Chess Federation’s annual event also had more than 50 schools competing, highlighting the comment from organiser Warren Elliott that “chess is the fastest-growing sport in Jamaica”.

At the end of the event only one player retained a title, leaving 11 new champions set to represent Jamaica internationally.

The annual Jamaica Chess Federation Championships was sponsored by Grace Vienna Sausages, Tile City & Home Centre, and Summit Kingston.

GraceKennedy Brand Assistant Sha-Tara Carter said, “The National Age Group Chess Championship this year exceeded our expectations. We are delighted to see so many young ‘Vienna kids’ and their parents dedicated to encouraging their personal growth via chess.”

Tile City & Home Centre Director Melissa Moses is pleased with the growth she’s seen.

“It was such an honour to assist in making this happen,” she said. “Chess is rapidly growing and this gives me great joy to know that we will have a great set of thinkers in the near future.”

The top players are now looking forward to representing Jamaica at international events. Co-Organiser Jomo Pitterson said, “Given what I’ve seen here, the future of Jamaican chess is bright.” He was also named top coach of the event.

Under 8 Absolute

1st – Khalel Davy – 5.5/6

2nd – Aiden Brown – 5.5/6

3rd – Luke Wright – 5/6

Under 8 Female

1st – Rhea Gardner – 6/6

2nd – Abigail Jones – 5/6

3rd – Annabella Walia – 4.5/6

Under 10 Absolute

1st – Rajvir Shergil – 6/6

2nd – Zaire Quest – 5/6

3rd – Amari Hutchinson – 5/6

Under 10 Female

1st – Nyah Wood – 6/6

2nd – Samakhya Singh – 5/6

3rd – Emilia-Rose Leake – 5/6

Under 12 Absolute

1st – Darren Murphy – 6/6

2nd – Vaishnav Gali – 5/6

3rd – Khaleel Bartlett – 5/6

Under 12 Female

1st – Elisha Patel – 5.5/6

2nd – Victoria Aung – 5/6

3rd – Joelle Hamilton – 5/6

Under 14 Absolute

1st – Zahmir Smikle – 6/6

2nd – Aaron Mckoy – 5/6

3rd – Ronak Shergil – 5/6

Under 14 Female

1st – Glory Murphy – 6/6

2nd – Kayla Moses – 5/6

3rd – Danielle Yankana – 5/6

Under 16 Absolute

1st – Jayden Foreshaw – 5.5/6

2nd – Jaheim Smart – 4.5/6

3rd – Zuberi Edwards – 4.5/6

Under 16 Female

1st – Kaia Gayle – 6/6

2nd – Zaina O’Connor – 5/6

3rd – Robyn Thomas – 4/6

Under 18 Absolute

1st – Darren McKennis- 5/6

2nd – Aayush Jain – 5/6

3rd – John Stephenson – 5/6

Under 18 Female

1st – Gabriella Watson – 4/6

2nd – Amy Stephenson – 4/6

3rd – Arielle Mckoy – 3.5/6