<![CDATA[Bahamas Chess Federation - The Governing Body for Chess in The Bahamas

<![CDATA[Bahamas Chess Federation - The Governing Body for Chess in The Bahamas - STORIES]]>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:41:52 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[BAHAMIAN CHESS ON THE RISE!]]>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/bahamian-chess-on-the-riseThe Bahamas made a powerful statement at the Sub Zonal 2.3.3 Chess Championship in Trinidad!

FM Cecil Moncur scored 5.5/9 and earned 28 FIDE rating points, now ranked the #1 Bahamian player!

WFM Polina Karelina finished 4th, just half a point away from a podium finish!

WCM Chika Pride, age 14, scored 5/9 in her first senior-level Sub Zonal—just one win away from a WFM title!

This is only the beginning! We're launching Chess 4 Country to help our top players train, grow, and compete globally.
Let’s support our rising stars and back The Bahamas on the world stage!

#ChessBahamas #FMMoncur #WFMPolina #WCMChika #SubZonal233 #Chess4Country #ProudToBeBahamian #ChessChampions #BCF #FIDE

]]><![CDATA[Team Bahamas Heads to 2025 Sub-Zonal Chess Championships!]]>Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/team-bahamas-heads-to-2025-sub-zonal-chess-championshipsThe Bahamas Chess Federation is proud to announce its delegation for the 2025 Sub-Zonal 2.3.3 Absolute & Women’s Chess Championships, taking place April 11–18 in St. Ann’s, Trinidad.

Representing The Bahamas:

WFM Polina Karelina – Highest-rated Bahamian player
FM Cecil Moncur – 2025 Bahamas National Champion
WCM Chika Pride – 2024 Bahamas Junior Girls Champion

This event is a direct qualifier for the FIDE World Cup, and our players are aiming to make history by earning international titles like IM, WIM, and WFM.

We thank the Ministry of Sports and our current sponsors for their continued support.

FM Cecil Moncur
Proudly Sponsored by:
Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF)
Bahamas Chess Institute (BCI)

WFM Polina Karelina
Proudly Sponsored by:
Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF)
Members of the Greek Orthodox Church of The Bahamas
Octogone Fund Management, Ltd.
https://octogone.ch/en/nassau/

WCM Chika Pride
Proudly Sponsored by:
Natural Daughters - https://www.naturaldaughters.com/
Seahorse Chess Club
Family & Friends - Particularly Kara Hanna, Ann Mcneil & Trenaire Mckenzie.

Stay tuned as we cheer on #TeamBahamas!
Follow our journey: @BahamasChessFederation
#BahamasChess #SubZonal2025 #RoadToFIDE #TeamBahamas

]]><![CDATA[FIDE Master Cecil Moncur Crowned 2025 Bahamas National Chess Champion]]>Tue, 28 Jan 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/fide-master-cecil-moncur-crowned-2025-bahamas-national-chess-championNassau, Bahamas – January 26, 2025

The Bahamas Chess Federation proudly announces FIDE Master (FM) Cecil Moncur as the
2025 Bahamas National Chess Champion! The prestigious tournament concluded in dramatic
fashion on January 26, capping off a thrilling 10-player round-robin competition held at
Noble Prep Academy from January 17–26.

FM Moncur clinched the title in a nail-biting final round against 4-time National Champion
Valentine Cox. Both players entered the ninth and final round tied with seven wins and one
loss, knowing the winner of their match would claim the coveted title.

For Cox, a fifth championship would have placed him among the elite ranks of Bahamian
chess legends Frank Gibson, Antoinette Seymour, and Kendrick Knowles. For Moncur, this
was an opportunity to solidify his legacy as the Bahamas’ first and only FIDE Master by
capturing his first National Championship.

The road to victory was anything but easy. Moncur was undefeated in the first three rounds
before falling to 2024 Champion Avian Pride, whose calculated play dashed Moncur’s
flawless streak. Undeterred, Moncur regrouped and powered through the remaining rounds,
displaying determination and precision to secure his place in the final.

Meanwhile, Cox delivered six consecutive victories before encountering Women’s Candidate
Master (WCM) Chika Pride in Round 7. The youngest and only female competitor in the
Pride stunned the seasoned veteran with a brilliant performance, forcing Cox to resign
and leaving the championship wide open.

The tournament was a showcase of chess mastery across generations. The five
veterans—Cecil Moncur, Valentine Cox, Dr. Kenville Lockhart, Francis Skinned and Curtis
Pride Jr.—proved why they remain formidable contenders. The rising stars, including Avian
and Chika Pride, along with Barrington Hawkins, Sohan Umesh, and James Trotman,
demonstrated the depth and promise of Bahamian chess.

Chess enthusiasts are already lauding this year’s Nationals as one of the most exciting in
recent history.

Final Standings and Recognition

FM Cecil Moncur emerged victorious with an impressive score of 8/9. Congratulations to all
10 qualifiers who competed with exceptional skill and sportsmanship:

1. FM Cecil Moncur (8/9)
2. NM Valentine Cox (7/9)
3. Dr. Kenville Lockhart (6/9)
4. Avian Pride (6/9)
5. Barrington Hawkins (5/9)
6. WCM Chika Pride (4.5/9)
7. Curtis Pride Jr. (4.5/9)
8. Sohan Umesh (2/9)
9. Francis Skinner (1.5/9)
10. James Trotman (0.5/9)

For full tournament results and standings, visit: https://chess-
results.com/tnr1100361.aspx?lan=1.

The Bahamas Chess Federation extends heartfelt thanks to Chief Arbiter IA Andre White,
Deputy Chief Arbiter FA Angel Pride, and Tournament Director Curtis Pride Sr. for their
impeccable officiating and organization.

A special thank you to our sponsors Aqua Pure, Caribbean Bottling, and our host venues
Noble Prep Academy and Travellers Rest for their invaluable support.

Congratulations to FM Cecil Moncur, the 2025 Bahamas National Chess Champion!

]]><![CDATA[Pan-American Youth Chess Championship Team]]>Sun, 14 Jul 2024 12:01:14 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/pan-american-youth-chess-championship-team

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

**Bahamian Chess Prodigies Set to Shine at 2024 Pan-American Youth Chess Championships**

Nassau, Bahamas – July 13, 2024 – A formidable team of four young chess talents from the Bahamas is gearing up to compete at the prestigious 2024 Pan-American Youth Chess Championships in Orlando, Florida. From July 15th to 20th, these promising youths will showcase their skills against top competitors from Pan American countries (North American, South America and the Caribbean).

Despite the contingent’s small size, Team Bahamas promises to make a significant impact. Over the past year, each member has demonstrated unrivaled excellence in their age categories, consistently outperforming peers and even challenging seasoned players and adults alike.

**Meet the Team:**

- **Avian Pride** – A household name in Bahamian chess, Avian holds all the Bahamas' Chess National Titles: National, Junior National and Scholastic Champion (which he has won for 3 consecutive years). At just sixteen years old, he is also part of this year's Chess Olympiad team representing the Bahamas in Budapest, Hungary. Avian is the National U18 Champion.

- **Chika Pride** – Regarded as the top female youth chess player in the country, Chika consistently ranks among the best. She is the National Female Junior Champion and earned a 4th place finish in the Nationals. As the National U14 Champion, she has proven her prowess on numerous occasions.

- **Caerwyn Turnquest** – At nine years old, Caerwyn is poised to become the youngest-rated player in the country pending FIDE's official announcement. Caerwyn is also a qualifier for this year's CAC Chess Youth festival and will represent the country in El Salvador in August. He has already claimed the title of National U10 Champion, showcasing remarkable talent at a young age.

- **Danica Rolle** – Danica has established herself as the strongest primary school female player in the Bahamas, earning the title of National U10 Female Champion through her dedication and skill. Danica is also a qualifier for this year's CAC Chess Youth Festival.

"This team exemplifies the pinnacle of youth chess talent in the Bahamas," said Coach Elton Joseph. "Their participation in major tournaments and rigorous training at the Bahamas Chess Academy has propelled their continuous improvement year after year."

Bahamas Chess Federation 1st Vice President and the Pan American Head of
Delegate, Beverley Turnquest said, "The Bahamas Chess Federation is proud to support these young champions as they embark on this international journey to Orlando. Their participation not only highlights their individual achievements but also underscores the growing strength of Bahamian chess on the global stage."

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Email: bahamaschessofficial@gmail.com
Website: bahamaschessfederation.org
Facebook : Bahamas Chess Federation

About the Bahamas Chess Federation
The Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) is the governing body for chess in the Bahamas, dedicated to promoting chess education and fostering competitive excellence among Bahamian players of all ages.

About the Bahamas Chess Academy
The Bahamas Chess Academy is a renowned institution committed to developing chess talent through structured training programs and competitive opportunities.

]]><![CDATA[Chika Pride Emerges as First Bahamas National Junior Female Chess Champion]]>Fri, 26 Jan 2024 03:23:39 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/chika-pride-emerges-as-first-bahamas-national-junior-female-chess-championOn November 4th, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture Conference Room played host to a historic event, the 2023 Bahamas National Junior Female Chess Championship. This inaugural competition aimed to provide a dedicated platform for young female chess enthusiasts, fostering their participation and promoting gender diversity in the sport.

A Purposeful Initiative by the Bahamas Chess Federation

The Bahamas Chess Federation took a significant step forward by introducing a female-only section of the National Junior Chess Championship. The move was motivated by several objectives:
1. Attract and Encourage Female Participation: The tournament aimed to attract more female participants to the world of chess, traditionally dominated by male players.
2. Build a Pathway for Bahamian Females: The event sought to initiate a pathway for young Bahamian females in the world of chess, creating opportunities for growth and development.
3. Compliance with International Focus on Women in Chess: The Bahamas Chess Federation aligned itself with regional and international partners in their shared focus on promoting women's participation and achievements in chess.

The Bahamas Chess Federation firmly believes that providing Bahamian females with their own competitive stage will increase the number of female chess players and enhance their competitiveness in open categories. Moreover, it will contribute towards expanding the pool of female players available to represent the country in regional and international chess competitions.

Tournament Highlights
The tournament saw the participation of twelve enthusiastic young girls, with some of them entering their very first chess competition. Several participants expressed that the addition of a female-only section, with a certified Female Arbiter, inspired them to ventured into competitive chess.

National Arbiter Angel Pride was honored to be the Arbiter of the first National Female Junior Chess Championship. It was meaningful to the young female chess players to see a female arbitering the tournament also demonstrating another pathway for females in chess. Angel is the only certified and active Female Arbiter in the Bahamas and one of few in the caribbean region.

Chika Pride emerged as a clear favorite in the tournament, possessing the distinction of being the only FIDE-rated player among the participants. Her experience and skills had been previously showcased as she represented the Bahamas in prestigious events such as the FIDE Online Chess Olympiad, the 2022 Chess Olympiad, and the 2023 CAC Youth Chess Festival.

Chika's remarkable journey in chess had already begun in the 2021 National Junior Championship, where she placed 4th overall, proving her ability to compete alongside male players. Over time, she honed her skills and recently made history by becoming the only female qualifier for the upcoming National Chess Championship scheduled for January 2024.

In the 2023 Bahamas National Junior Female Chess Championship, Chika displayed her dominance by checkmating each of her opponents in under 5 minutes. She spent much of the tournament observing open players, demonstrating her prowess in the game. Chika secured a perfect score of 5 wins and no losses, earning her the title as the first Bahamas Junior Female Chess Champion.

When asked about her choice to compete in the Female section rather than the Open Tournament, Chika shared, "It was a difficult decision deciding which section to play in. I entered both sections and only canceled my open registration on the morning of the tournament. When I saw that 11 other girls entered and showed up to play, I felt compelled to compete with them. I knew I wouldn't face much competition, but it was essential to support this girls-only tournament. I knew I could have won my age category and at least placed in the top 5 in the open tournament. Making history as the 1st Bahamas National Junior Female Champion was more appealing and meaningful. I still have several years to compete for the Open title and will win it in the near future."

Chika Pride (Left) with FA Angel Pride

Congratulations to Other Awardees

In addition to Chika Pride's outstanding performance, Alaayah Johnson secured the second-place overall title, edging out Kacie Cooper, who took the third place. Both Alaayah and Kacie finished with a record of 3 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss.

Furthermore, A’maris Mogregor was crowned the champion in the Under 8 age category, Milania Yallop triumphed in the Under 10 section, Kacie Cooper claimed victory in the Under 12 division, and Chika Pride added another feather to her cap by winning the Under 14 category.

The 2023 Bahamas National Junior Female Chess Championship marked a significant milestone in promoting female participation in chess and fostering the growth of young female talents in the Bahamas. With the success of the event and the emergence of Chika Pride as the first Female Chess Champion, the Bahamas Chess Federation is paving the way for a promising future in women's chess.

]]><![CDATA[Avian Pride Emerges as the 2023 Bahamas National Junior Chess Champion]]>Thu, 09 Nov 2023 03:52:59 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/avian-pride-emerges-as-the-2023-bahamas-national-junior-chess-champion

Avian Pride Emerges as the 2023 Bahamas National Junior Chess Champion
November 4, 2023 - The Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture Conference room witnessed intense battles and remarkable feats of strategic thinking during the 2023 Bahamas National Junior Chess Championship. With a record of 44 participants competing across various age categories, the championship provided a platform for young talents to showcase their skills in a 5-round Swiss format tournament.

Curtis Pride, Jr.'s Strong Start, and Sohan Umesh's Surprise Victory
The tournament began with the defending champion, Curtis Pride, Jr., making a strong statement by winning three straight games on board 1. His impressive performance garnered attention and raised expectations of a potential repeat victory. However, in round 4, Curtis was paired against Sohan Umesh, who had also won three consecutive games.

To the surprise of many, Umesh took an early lead and Curtis was unable to recover. Curtis concluded the tournament with a commendable record of 4 wins and 1 loss, a remarkable performance, but it fell just short of reclaiming the championship. Meanwhile, Umesh continued his winning streak, securing a flawless score of 5 wins and 0 losses.

The game between Curtis and Umesh in round 4 became the talk of the tournament, elevating Umesh to the position of a top contender for the championship.

Avian Pride's Quiet Dominance and Thrilling Final Round
While Curtis and Umesh garnered attention, Avian Pride quietly and calmly climbed the ranks, winning four straight games on board 2. In round 5, Avian found himself matched on board 1 against Huguesson Valcourt, who had maintained an undefeated record through four rounds.

In a breathtaking match against Huguesson, Avian faced an apparently insurmountable situation. With less than one minute on his clock and Huguesson still holding 7 minutes, the pressure was immense. However, Avian skillfully managed his time and made strategic moves under the watchful eyes of everyone at the tournament. In a stunning turn of events, with just 3 seconds left on his clock, Avian checkmated Huguesson. This sensational victory stole the spotlight from Umesh and marked a remarkable moment in the championship.

The Showdown for the Championship
With both Avian and Umesh finishing with 5 wins each, the championship was decided in a dramatic showdown between the two talented young chess players. Umesh fought valiantly, but it was Avian who emerged victorious in the decisive match, clinching the title as the 2023 National Junior Chess Champion.

Umesh secured the second-place position, while Huguesson Valcourt claimed third place in the highly competitive tournament. The 2023 Bahamas National Junior Chess Championship concluded with Avian Pride's impressive performance and his crowning as the new champion, marking a memorable day of strategic brilliance in Bahamian junior chess.

Top 3 places overall with BCF Executive Angel Pride: Hueguesson Valcourt, Avian Pride, Sohan Umesh

1st place overall - Avian Pride (Right) with BCF Secretary and Arbiter, Angel Pride

2nd place overall - Sohan Umesh (left) with BCF Secretary and Arbiter, Angel Pride

3rd place overall - Huguesson Valcourt (left) with BCF Secretary and Arbiter, Angel Pride

TOP 3 Places in Each Age Group

Under 8
Winner: Caerwyn Turnquest
2nd Place: Liam Hepburn
3rd Place: Kymani Poitier

Under 12
Winner: M'kai Fernander
2nd Place: Matteo Davies
3rd Place: Zayne Berry

Under 14
Winner: Sohan Umesh
2nd Place: Mekayden Clare
3rd Place: Larell Hanchell

Under 16
Winner: Avian Pride
2nd Place: Ocari Delancy
3rd Place: Ronnario Oliver

Under 18
Winner: Huguesson Valcourt
2nd Place: Manan Pahwa
3rd Place: Kamori Rolle

Under 20
Winner: Curtis Pride, Jr.
2nd Place: Victor Mikello
3rd Place: Zacchary Carey

The tournament was organized by Bahamas Chess Federation. Curtis Pride, Sr. was the Tournament Director. National Arbiter Angel Pride served as the Chief Arbiter and Fide Arbiter Elton Joseph as the Deputy Arbiter.

1st place Under 8 Open - Caerwyn Tunquest

1st place Under 12 Open - M'kai Fernander

1st place Under 14 Open - Sohan Umesh

1st place Under 16 Open - Avian Pride

1st place U18 Open - Hueguesson Valcourt

1st place Under 16 Open - Curtis Pride, Jr.

]]><![CDATA[Orjan Lindroth Chess Championship starts May 28th]]>Mon, 15 May 2023 20:08:09 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/orjan-lindroth-chess-championship-starts-may-28th

2022 Winner, GM Johan-Sebastian Christian Vs. Orjan Lindroth Tournament Organizer, FM Cecil Moncur

The Orjan Lindroth Chess Tournament, which will start on May 28th, is already captivating the attention of international and local chess enthusiasts. Bahamas Chess Federation believes that the success of this event will be a game changer for the development of Chess in the Bahamas.

The tournament, named in honor of the late Orjan Lindroth, a generous supporter of chess in The Bahamas, had a very successful launch in 2022. Last year the tournament attracted a total of 30 players from 5 countries. Eight of these players were titled players, including 2 Grand Masters. As expected, one of the Grand Masters, Johan-Sebastian Christiansen from Norway, won the open section. He will defend his title this year, but it will not be as easy for him to win.

With registration still open, 63 players from 15 countries, including 12 Grand Masters plus 17 more titled players, have already registered and alt least a dozen more is expected to be added. Early registration list thirty-eight players who will face off in the main category and twenty-five in the U1700-rated section. The Swiss format, nine rounds tournament will span over five days.

The venue for the tournament is Super Club Breezes. It will begin on May 28th at 1:00 p.m. with a press conference, meet and greet, then a simultaneous exhibition game. Round 1 starts at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, May 29th. The links below take you to the tournament rules and schedule on the Bahamas Chess Federation Website and the Open and U1700 ranking list as posted on the Chess Results Website.

The main sponsors are Amanda Lindroth, Scotia Bank, Breezes, Mr. and Mrs. Charlse Stonehill and Bahamas Bone and Joint Center.

Tournament Invitation with Rules & Schedule:
https://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/reg-lindroth-2023.html

Open Section Ranking List:
https://chess-results.com/tnr748600.aspx?lan=1

Under 1700 Rated Section Ranking List:
https://chess-results.com/tnr762889.aspx?lan=1

The top games will be shown live on Youtube by Chess242. Click on the link below to subscribe and gain free access to watch the live games.

Subscribe to Chess242 to watch top games live:
https://www.youtube.com/@242chess/streams

]]><![CDATA[Scholastic Teams Competition Set The Stage For An Exciting Individuals Tournament]]>Fri, 07 Apr 2023 12:40:23 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/scholastic-teams-competition-set-the-stage-for-an-exciting-individuals-tournament

Avian Pride - 2022 Scholastic Chess Individual Champion with BCF President Kendrick Knowles

The Scholastic Teams Championship attracted sixty-six (66) strong students from over twelve (12) schools and institutions. Among these students were five (5) top Junior Chess players in the Bahamas who did not disappoint! Each player dominated their boards on the way to winning top board awards. March 25th, 2023, was about teams, but these five junior players individual performances stood out. Their performance prepared the stage for an epic Scholastic Individual Chess Tournament on April 16th.

The 2022 Scholastic Individual champion Avian Pride won all five (5) games on board 1, proving that he's ready to defend his title. Noah Albury, Theophilus Weir, and Chika Pride also won all 5 of their games. It is important to note that none of these top junior players played against each other. At the Scholastic Individual Championship, they will inevitably face off.

Newcomer Hugesson Valcourt, the only other student who won all five (5) games, could be considered a wild card. Everyone is waiting to see how he will perform when paired against one of the top-rated players. Then there is Trevor Bridgewater. Trevor only won 4 out of the five games he played in the Scholastic Teams Tournament. However, as the top-rated player entered, he is still a contender to win the 2023 individual title.

The 2022 champion Avian Pride will not be easy to defeat. However, Noah, Trevor, Chika, Theophilus, or Hugesson is skilled enough to take the title and will sit across the board from him. Unfortunately, we will have to wait until April 16th for the results. Regardless of the results, it is evident that the 2023 Scholastic Individual Chess Tournament will be one of the most competitive ever. We believe it will be epic!

AVIAN PRIDE (Left)

CHIKA PRIDE (2nd from left)

THEOPHILUS WEIR (left)

NOAH ALBURY

TREVOR BRIDGEWATER (1st from left)

]]><![CDATA[Queen’s College emerges as best chess school in New Providence.]]>Fri, 31 Mar 2023 16:51:14 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/queens-college-emerges-as-best-chess-school-in-new-providence

28 March 2023 - Aspiring chess players from across New Providence participated in the competitive 2023 Scholastic Chess Team Championship. The team based event is one the largest chess tournaments of the year, with many schools trying to defend their title as well as achieve new ones. The event was hosted by The Bahamas Chess Federation, and took place on Saturday, 25 March at the Qcafe. Queen’s College graciously sponsored the venue for the event.
     The Scholastic Championship attracted sixty-six (66) strong students from over twelve (12) schools and institutions. Excited students from Queen’s College, St. Augustine’s College, Kingsway Academy, C.I. Gibson School, St. Andrew’s School, St. Anne’s, Aquinas, Lyford Cay, Windsor Academy, New Providence Classical School and other various small schools and homeschools, battled it out in a 5 round competition.
     The tournament consisted of three divisions: - Under 12, Under 16 and Under 20 with a new feature of the tournament this year, the addition of a combined school team section. This section was added to allow home school students and students attending schools that do not have sufficient chess players to field a team to come together to form a team.
     The QCafe was filled with intense focus as school teams faced off against each other in a bid to be crowned the Scholastic Team Champions and best chess school on the island. As soon as a match was completed, students wasted no time and would huddle in a corner or proceed to the outside waiting area to discuss their moves and strategies in their own chess language. It was clear that chess was the common denominator, as students from different schools and backgrounds came together to share their passion for the game.
Queen’s College seized the win in both the Under 16 and Under 20 categories, winning the Title of the Strongest Chess School on the island of New Providence. All of the players from Queen's College played skillfully and won most of their games. However, three (3) players performance also earned them individual recognition. Kaleah Brown won best Board 2 Player in the U12 category. Johnathan Coakley won best board 4 player in the U16 Category. Elliot Rahming won best Board 4 player in the U20 category.

Overall Results for 2023 Scholastic Chess Team Tournament

Best Team U16
1st Place - Queen’s College Team 1
2nd Place - Kingsway Academy
3rd Place - St Anne's

Best Team U20
1st Place - Queen’s College 1
2nd Place - Queen’s College 2
3rd Place - C.I. Gibson Senior

]]><![CDATA[2023 Pohlemus Darling Memorial Chess Tournament was a great success!]]>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 12:06:01 GMThttps://www.bahamaschessfederation.org/stories/2023-pohlemus-darling-memorial-chess-tournament-was-a-great-success

The 2023 Pohlemus Darling Memorial Chess Tournament was a great success, thanks to the fourteen enthusiastic players who participated.

Curtis Pride, Sr. Vice President of The Bahamas Chess Federation, said the passion displayed by this group of players for chess and competition was powerful and encouraging. Organizing these events takes work and scarce resources in our sport, but the joy and appreciation we saw on Saturday made it all worth it. 2023 is about to be a great year of Chess in the Bahamas.

The participants included four of the top players in the country, Dr. Kenville Lockhart, and Junior standouts Trevor Bridgewater, Avian Pride, and Curtis Pride, Jr. It also attracted William Davis and Seth Roberts, who had not competed in a while, along with several beginners.

Fresh from their impressive performance in the 2023 National Championships, Dr. Kenville Lockhart and Avian Pride were tough to beat. Both won 4 out of 5 games and played to a draw against each other. Scoring 4.5 out of 5 points each, 1st and 2nd place had to be decided by tie breaks. Dr. Lockhart received the award for 1st place and Avian 2nd.
William Davis went into round 5 against Avian Pride with a perfect score. If he had won or drawn, he would have won the competition. However, racing against a rapidly ticking clock, Avian won the exciting match after William ran out of time. After this loss, William could only secure 3rd place.

Junior standouts Trevor Bridgewater and Curtis Pride, Jr. also did not disappoint. Trevor won 3 games but lost against Avian Pride and William Davis. Curtis only lost against Dr. Lockhart in round 4. However, he played two draws which caused him to end with just 3 out of five points. His last game with Seth Roberts gave Seth the extra ½ point needed to win the Junior category over Trevor, who ended up in 2nd. Chika Pride, also playing well, finished 3rd in the Junior Category.

3rd grade students Danica Rolle and Roderick Turnquest earned special mention. Both beginners played every match enthusiastically. One of the highlights off the tournament came in round 4 when they played each other. This game was epic! In the end Danica Rolle won the game but both players made it clear that they are future champions.

A big thank you is due to Arbiters Elton Joseph and Angel Pride for doing a fantastic job!

Congratulations to all the players and winners!

Open Category
1st place: Dr. Kenville Lockhart
2nd place: Avian Pride
3rd place: William Davis

Junior Category
1st place: Seth Roberts
2nd place: Trevor Bridgewater
3rd place: Chika Pride

Beginner’s Category
1st place: Danica Rolle
2nd place: Roderick Turnquest