Wolmer’s Boys’ win high school chess championship
After a thrilling tournament, Wolmer’s Boys’ ‘A’ team claimed victory by emerging undefeated in the 2022-23 National High Schools Chess Championship finals held from March 9-10. The six-round event was very competitive, with Wolmer’s winning five matches, drawing one, and losing none.
St Catherine High A finished second on tiebreak with three wins, two ties and one loss. Dethroned champions St Jago High A were third on tiebreak with the same result. Glenmuir High A finished fourth on tiebreak with four wins and two losses while Green Island High A rounded out the top five with two wins, three draws and one loss.
The Wolmer’s Boys’ A team was made up of Jamaica Under-20 Absolute Chess Champion Candidate Master (CM) Jaden Shaw, Kamari Stephens (C), John Stephenson, Corbin Harvey, and Orion Isaacs. Shaw mastered his opponents, finishing with 5 points (four wins, two draws). Stephens also performed well (four wins, one draw, one loss) finishing with a strong 4.5 points.
Board 1 best performances came from CM Jaden Shaw of the Wolmer’s Boys’ A team and Christopher Lyn of Jamaica College (JC) A, who both finished with 5 points. CM Shaw secured the award by virtue of beating Lyn in the first-round tie versus JC A.
The Board 2 best performer was Angelus-Seren McDonald from the St Catherine High A team who accumulated 5.5 points.
Board 3’s best performer was Ranaldo Hill of the Titchfield High ‘A’ team who was the winner with 5 points.
Board 4’s best performers were Aldain Kerr of Green Island High A, Aayush Jain from Ardenne High A, and Jaheim Smart of Campion College A, who all finished with 5 points.
On boards 5 and 6 Khatray Cato of St Jago A had 4.5 points and Brian Mcintosh of Green Island High A had 4 points, respectively, to be the winners on both boards.
Jamaica Chess Federation Council member and Wolmer’s Boys’ alumni Richard Shaw credited Coach FM Warren Elliott for “excellently” guiding Wolmer’s Boys’ to the title. Shaw also had high praises for Guardian Life Foundation for sponsoring the event and ultimately contributing to the wholesome development of Jamaican youth.
