The US Virgin Islands Chess Federation was the host for the 2016 edition of the CARIFTA Chess Championships. The tournament has now finished and winners in each of the sections are as follows:
The under 12 section saw it come to the last round and with CM Nathan Smith of the Bahamas winning with almost a picket fence score of 6.5/7. The girls section came down to the final round with results needing to go the way of the players to decide who would win the title and in the end Azaria Johnson of Barbados won with 4/7 with a win in the final round.
In the under 16 section Alan-Safar Ramoutar who won the under section only need a draw in the final round to secure the title but decide to win and finish with a score of 6/7. The girls section came down to the top girls in points playing each other and they had a draw to finish on 4.5/7. It was in the end awarded to WCM Catherine Kaslan of Suriname who on countback ahead of WCM Adani Clark of Jamaica, her final round opponent.
Barbados team in 1st place overall
The top group, the under 20’s, which consisted of 5 females out of 11 players, almost 50% which is an excellent turnout for female participation, saw FM Orlando Husbands of Barbados win with a picket fence of 7/7. The girls section was won by WCM Annelaine Jacobs of Aruba ahead of local Hazel Acosta of US Virgin Islands on countback.
As reported, Margaret Murphy the organiser and President of the USVICF was very pleased with the turnout and that everyone said it was the best tournament they had attended.
Final standings can be found here: http://www.chess-results.com/tnr213892.aspx?lan=1&art=4&wi=821
Photos by Ulrike Vogel, report by Jamie Kenmure
Aruba team in 2nd place overall
Suriname team in 3rd place overall
Heads of delegation of federations with President of USVICF Margaret Murphy
