FIDE Master (FM) Raheem Glaves convincingly won the 21st staging of the Frederick Cameron Open Chess Tournament played December 14 and 15 at Calabar High School. The six-round event was played in four sections: Open, Under 1700, Under 1400 Open, and Under 1400 Female.

The annual event is named in honour of Jamaica Chess Federation Hall of Fame inductee, Calabar old boy and former Jamaican International player and Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) treasurer and president, Frederick Cameron.

FM Glaves won the Open section with a perfect six points from six games, which included a famous victory over reigning National Champion FM Shreyas Smith. Smith had to settle for second place on tiebreak ahead of University of The West Indies standout Jhustice-Dimonte McDonald, after both players ended on 4.5 points.

The top female player in the Open section was Kaia Gayle, who ended on an impressive four points from her six games, losing only to the eventual winner Glaves.

The best U1700 player was Liam Logan who won on tiebreak over David Jones after both players ended with 5 points. Third went to Krishmar Smith on tiebreak over Jovani Spence, after both players ended on 4.5 points. The top female player in the Under 1700 section was Kayla Moses, who ended on four points from her six games, losing only to the eventual winner Logan.

The U1400 Open section was won by Luke Wright on tiebreak over Nyah Wood, after both players ended on 4.5 points from their five games. Five players ended tied on four points each; however, when tiebreaks were employed, third place was awarded to Javin Li, followed by Kamar Davidson, Kareem Ankle, Josh-Anthony James and Leiquon Smith.

Kathryn Okpiavbe finished with 4.5 points out of five games to win the U1400 Female section. Terry Gordon Yeney came second on tiebreak over Mais Je’Nasiya after both players ended on four points.

Approximately 97 entrants took part in the event.

Commenting on the continued growth of the event since the COVID-19 pandemic, JCF President National Master Peter Myers stated that he was glad to see the number of entrants returning to its pre-COVID-19. Fred Cameron is an icon of chess in Jamaica and to see the number of youngsters coming out is befitting of the man who was there in 1969 when the JCF was established.

The Frederick Cameron Open was sponsored by the Sports Development Foundation, FIDE (the World Chess Federation) and Calabar High School.

The first Open tournament for 2025 will be the IA FM John Powell Memorial Open Chess Tournament, currently scheduled to be held later in January 2025. This event will honour another icon of Jamaican chess, former president, international arbiter and international representative John Powell.