Byfield wins - JamaicaObserver.com

Saturday, November 21, 2009 6:42 AM

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Byfield wins

...Crowned champion at Jamaica Chess Open

Saturday, November 07, 2009

NATIONAL MASTER Geoffrey Byfield is the 2009 Jamaica Chess Open champion after copping the title at Jamaica College last weekend, finishing unbeaten on five points from six games after securing a critical final-round victory over the defending champion, National Master Andrew Mellace.

In the final round top-of-the-table-clash, Byfield took top honours after capitalising on an unsound two-piece sacrifice by Mellace.

NM Geoffrey Byfield (right) plays against defending champion NM Andrew Mellace (left) in this final-round match to take the Jamaica Open title for 2009.

Second place went to local legend National Master Shane 'the Magician' Matthews, who ended on 4.5 points, the same as National Master Russel Porter, who was relegated to third after the tiebreak system was employed.

In the Intermediate section for players with a Jamaica Chess Federation rating below 1600, Kingston College's Michael Antoine took home his second straight intermediate title, after ending perfect on six points from six games. Second place went to Creg Johnson, who finished on five points, the same as Alethia Edwards and Noel Brown, each of whom was relegated to third and fourth, respectively, on tiebreak.

The amateur section for players with a Jamaica Chess Federation rating below 1200 was won by Leon Bennett, who finished perfect on five points from as many games. Second place went to Jordan Treasure, who ended on 4.5 points, while third was shared by six players each of whom ended on four points - Shemar Morrison, Amsha Carby, Rachel Miller, Othniel Barnes, Malik Buchanan and Helric Lee.

Other category prizes were awarded as follows: Best Female Open Margoe Williams; Best Female Intermediate Alethia Edwards; Best Junior Amari Graham; Best Rural PlayerSamuel Lamount; Best Expert (rated 1800-1999) Amari Graham; Best Class A (rated 1600-1799) Margoe Williams; Best Class B (rated 1400-1599) Noel Brown; Best Class C (rated 1399-1200) Jonathan Pitterson; Best Class D (rated 1299-1100) Myles Harrison; Best Class E (rated 1099 and below) Leon Bennett; Best New Player Terroy Syborn; Best Under-14 Jonothan Pitterson; Best Under-12 Shreyas Smith; Best Under-10 - Elias Issa.

The tournament which had 104 entrants, was sponsored by Pepsi, Jamaica Money Market Brokers, Caribbean Broilers, Wata and the Jamaica Public Service Company.

The next tournament on the Jamaica Chess Federation calendar is the Clarendon Open, which is scheduled to take place on November 14 and 15.

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