Chess players Loki Clarke and Jerimiah Farley began 2024 with a bang by winning their respective categories in the XIV IRT Híbrido de Las Américas hybrid chess event which concluded last weekend.
Clarke went into the Open section of the event as the 15th highest ranked player in the field of 27 players representing Venezuela, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Barbados.
He made his intentions clear from the first round when he defeated the second highest ranked player, Christian Gabriel Allen Leydenz of Venezuela. Clarke then racked up victories against two more Venezuelan opponents, before falling to Armando Jose Zanella Gonzalez also of Venezuela in round four.
Clarke rebounded by winning his next three games and by the seventh and final round, he was one of three players who led with five points from six matches.
In that final round, Clarke was pitted against co-leader and fellow Barbadian Adam Roachford, while the other co-leader Armando Jose Zanella Gonzalez of Venezuela was matched against veteran Terrence Lindo of Jamaica.
A quick draw ensued between Gonzalez and Lindo, meaning that the winner of the all-Bajan clash would take the event.
It was a hard-fought battle, but after Clarke was able to exchange two minor pieces for a rook, he made a push for victory and eventually Roachford succumbed to defeat.
Roachford placed third place with five points.
Meanwhile, Farley dominated the Under-10 section with six points from his seven games in a masterful display of chess, with his one loss being by default due to a previous engagement.
Farley’s play showed a level of tactical awareness beyond that of his opponents. He is currently being exposed to special training provided by FIDE, and this hopefully will see him improving quickly.
In the Under-16 section of the event, Noah Clarke finished in fourth place in a small eightplayer field on three and a half points. He started with two victories but struggled in the middle of the event, suffering three consecutive defeats.
Barbados also had two players in the Under-14 section of the event.
Mileke Sinckler missed some opportunities to finish midfield in the 25-player event with three and a half points, while Isaiah Acher finished slightly behind on three points.
Overall, the event had 88 players participating in the five sections and representing six countries from the Caribbean and South America. (PR/RB)
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