SEVEN Jamaicans competed at the Chess Campeonato Panamericano U-20 in Honduras August 2-9, with the tournament contested over nine rounds.

In the Absolute section, FIDE Master (FM) Jaden Shaw led the Jamaican contingent, finishing 15th, while Candidate Master (CM) Darren McKennis was 16th and Aayush Jain 23rd in a competitive field of 62 players.

The Absolute section was won by Woman Grandmaster (WGM) Candela Be Francisco Guecamburu of Argentina, who went unbeaten. FM Narayan Venkatesh of the United States finished second, while FM Stefan Moisei Vieira Lima of Brazil was third.

In the Female section, Woman Candidate Master (WCM) Gabriella Watson led the Jamaican ladies in 11th place. WCM Kaia Gayle was 12th, Amy Stephenson 17th and Kaity Gayle 18th in a field of 27 ladies.

The Female section was won by WFM Karen Nerina Gaite of Argentina, who also went unbeaten. Woman International Master (WIM) Kate Azumi Bravo Mallco of Peru finished second, while FM Hauman Fiorella Contreras of Peru was third.

National coach International Master (IM) Jomo Pitterson said the Jamaicans performed well, although their results did not always reflect the level of their play.

“The Jamaicans played well. In some cases, the results, didn’t reflect the level of play but going forward, with consistent, high-level international exposure, the overall standard of play will continue to improve significantly,” Pitterson said. “The future augurs well for Jamaica’s chess athletes.”

Women’s Candidate Master Gabriella Watson.