STANDOUT performances highlighted the Cayman Island Chess Federation’s hosting of the third renewal of the Presidents International Chess Championship, which was contested in two main sections from May 3 to 4, 2025.

In the Masters section, FM Jaden Shaw of Jamaica justified his top seeding to come away unbeaten (4.5/5pts) in a very competitive field of eight. The Cayman Islands pair of CM Shaun Tracy (3.5/5pts) and CM Kudakwashe Chinake (3/5pts) were second and third, respectively. The previous winners of the event were CM Kudakwashe Chinake of the Cayman Islands in 2023 and Ronak Shergil of Jamaica in 2024.

In the Challengers Section, Lyubomir Dimitrov (4.5/5pts) of the Cayman Islands won ahead of Jamaica’s Liam Logan (4/5pts) and Owen Franklin (3.5/5pts). Abbie McClenaghan of the Cayman Islands was the top female competitor.

The other Jamaicans in the competition were Zaire Quest (sixth) and Aundrae Chang Jr (19th). A total of 27 participants contested the event over five rounds.

Jamaica’s Coach IM Jomo Pitterson gave overall approval of his players’ approach to the competition in both sections but he noted that the Caymanians have vastly improved year over year, which spells good for the overall improvements within the wider Caribbean.