Rising star Wilson claims Clarendon Open

BRANDON WILSON, Jamaica's newest national master chess champion, scored five points from six games to win the fifth Dehring, Bunting and Golding Clarendon Chess Open, held at Glenmuir High in May Pen at the weekend.

The tournament, which was organised by the Clarendon Chess Association and sponsored by the May Pen branch of Dehring, Bunting and Golding, had a field of 63 entrants, the largest since its inception in 2003. Wilson secured the title after registering crucial victories in rounds five and six against fellow national masters, Russell Porter and defending champion Equitable Brown.

Other winners

Wilson also topped the Open section ahead of fast-improving junior from Campion College, Zachary Ramsey. Ramsey finished second on 4.5 points ahead of Russell, Paul Brooks and Daren Wisdom, each of whom ended on four points to share third place.

Annesha Smith received the award for best female entrant in the Open section. Best junior went to Wilson and the top player award in the Open section went to Lucien Rowe of Clarendon. Also in the Open section, Krishna Gray of Wolmer's Girls, Ashley Ferguson of Campion College and Dwayne Bennett ended on five points to share second place.

In the Under-16 category, Gray was awarded the prize for best female, and the best player from Clarendon went to Dwayne Bennett. Timothy Henry of Campion College received the award for best under-12 player, while Alexander Chin of Belair School walked away with the best new player award. Kadian McGlashan was awarded the best female player from the Corporate Area.