JAMAICANS SHINE AT AMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FOUNDATION GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Above Pic - The Jamaican contingent pose with their Trophies
PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR THE JAMAICA CHESS FEDERATION
7 AUGUST 2017
JAMAICANS SHINE AT AMERICAN YOUTH CHESS FOUNDATION GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP
Eighteen juniors from the Chess Whiz Kids Academy, represented Jamaica at the American Youth Chess Foundation Grand Championship held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando, Florida from 15-16 Jul7, 2017. The diverse team, with players aged 7 to 15 years, led and coached by National Master Ryan Blackwood, entered 8 of 9 sections and came out overall winners of 7 of the sections.
In the Under 1900 Section, Nicholas Lyn placed 5th and Rushawn White took 6th, which was enough to secure the overall team trophy for the Section.
In the Under 1600 Section, the Jamaicans were again overall winners through the efforts of Jaden Shaw - 2nd, Darren McKennis - 6th and Anthony Lyn - 9th.
In the Under 1300 Section, Kyle Pratt finished atop the standings, with teammates Armani Dyer placing 9th and Justin Prince 14th.
In the Under 1000 Section, Jamaica claimed the top team trophy, through the efforts of Leah-Ann Chai - 3rd, Antonic Chung - 4th, Deanndra Kidd - 5th and Zane Chung - 12th.
Entrants to the Under 700 Section played two tournaments on two separate days. On the first day, Amy Stephenson - 1st, John Stephenson - 2nd and Demarie Comrie - 4th delivered the team trophy for Jamaica. In the second tournament played on day two, Amy Stephenson - 1st, John Stephenson - 2nd and Demarie Comrie - 4th, again delivered for Jamaica.
Entrants to the Under 400 Section also played two tournaments on two separate days. On the first day, Michael Graham - 2nd, Jewel Prince - 3rd and Dylan Blagrove-Lewis - 7th secured top honours for Jamaica. In the second tournament played on day two, Michael Graham - 3rd, Dylan Blagrove-Lewis - 4th and Jewel Prince - 8th again delivered the team trophy for Jamaica. Jewel Prince earned the 1st place Female Trophy in the Under 400 Section.
The Open Blitz tournament saw Nicholas Lyn claim 1st place. Darren McKennis and Rushawn White placed 3rd and 4th respectively, with Jaden Shaw in 6th and Anthony Lyn 7th .
The Under 1200 Blitz Tournament saw Amy Stephenson taking 3rd and Armani Dyer ending in 4th place. Other participants in the Under 1200 Blitz were: Deanndra Kidd 8th, John Stephenson 9th, Kyle Pratt 10th, Leah-Ann Chai 11th, Demarie Comrie 13th, Dylan Blagrove-Lewis 14th and Michael Graham 15th.
For their exceptional performances, Jaden Shaw, (10) years and Kyle Pratt, (13) years, walked away with some of the coveted scholarships prize money on offer, redeemable upon reaching seventeen (17) years old, which can be applied to Universities in Jamaica and Internationally.
Sponsors for the trip included the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission, the Jamaica National Building Society, the Jamaica Public Service Company, CL Environmental Consultants and the Immaculate Conception High School who sponsored students Leah-Ann Chai and Deanndra Kidd.
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