Dr Harold Chan Chess Open begins this weekend

THE 2005 DR. Harold Chan Chess Open, organised by the Jamaica Chess Federation, will be staged at the Immaculate Conception High School tomorrow and Sunday.

Registration is scheduled to take place between 8:00 am and 8:45 tomorrow morning.

Axis Jamaica Limited will sponsor the tournament, which will be staged over six rounds, three tomorrow and three on Sunday.

There will be three sections. The Open division in which anyone can play, a section for players rated Under 1800 and a female section.

Prizes will be awarded to the top three players in each section, the best player under 10 years, the best under 14 years, the best rural player, the best junior and best new player.

The tournament was named in honour of Dr. Harold Chan, who won the Jamaica National Chess Championship titles from 1972-74, and 1978-79, and was one of the first players in Jamaica to earn the National Master title in 1975.

The defending Champion is International Chess Master Amon Simutowe of Zambia.