BAHAMAS JUNIOR CHESS TEAM GAINS VALUABLE EXPERIENCE AT PRESTIGIOUS NORTH AMERICAN YOUTH CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP
Thanks to The MedNet Group of Companies,
Commonwealth Bank, Doctors Hospital, MCG Adjusters, Post Boxes Etc and FIDE, the Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) sent its largest contingent to an international Tournament
September 5, 2019 - The Bahamas Junior Chess Team recently returned home from the prestigious
North American Youth Chess Championship (NAYCC) with a total of twenty-three (23) team points.
Although no team member medaled, Team Coach & President of The Bahamas Chess Federation, Elton
Joseph said that the country gained valuable international experience and exposure. He explained: “As
our players improve internationally they bring back that experience and help develop other players in
The Bahamas.”
The twelve member team forsook the easy path, in terms of international competitions, and bravely
took on the challenge of the NAYCC. Taking place in Kingston, Ontario from August 15th to the 20th , the
2019 NAYCC was a test of endurance and will power for Team Bahamas. The Tournament consisted of
nine (9) rounds over six full days of two to five hour rounds. Rounds were held in the morning and
afternoon with no rest days.
The Tournament attracted over four hundred and fifteen (415) participants. The North American Youth
Chess Championship attracts players from highly ranked chess countries, namely the United States,
Canada and Mexico. Mr. Joseph provided details: - “The average rating for the Bahamas is 1735 which
takes into account our strongest players, including adults and juniors. Competitors at the 2019 NAYCC
included Under 10 players with FIDE and USCF ratings of 1993. At the Tournament there were also more
than 40 players between the ages of 12 and 18 with FIDE ratings exceeding 2000.”
Team Bahamas got off to a slow start but Aidan Mart managed to secure a draw on Day 1 of
competition with a 1921 rated player from the United States, a player 700 points higher than Aidan’s
local rating. During the tournament the junior national team impressively took down players from the
US and Canada. The Bahamas Junior Chess Team sponsors included The MedNet Group of Companies,
Commonwealth Bank, Doctors Hospital, MCG Adjusters and Post Boxes Etc.
“We are very proud of the performance of the Bahamas Junior Chess team, they did a great job in each
of their sections,” exclaimed Elton Joseph. He added: - “We went to a tournament with very strong
players; we gained a lot of experience and managed to get some wins. I would also like to thank our
generous sponsors who made this trip possible. The importance of having the opportunity to compete
on the international stage is crucial to local players who wish to pursue chess at a professional level.”
Picture 2: Members of Team Bahamas during Inter-round strategy and training session
North American Youth Chess Championship (NAYCC) with a total of twenty-three (23) team points.
Although no team member medaled, Team Coach & President of The Bahamas Chess Federation, Elton
Joseph said that the country gained valuable international experience and exposure. He explained: “As
our players improve internationally they bring back that experience and help develop other players in
The Bahamas.”
The twelve member team forsook the easy path, in terms of international competitions, and bravely
took on the challenge of the NAYCC. Taking place in Kingston, Ontario from August 15th to the 20th , the
2019 NAYCC was a test of endurance and will power for Team Bahamas. The Tournament consisted of
nine (9) rounds over six full days of two to five hour rounds. Rounds were held in the morning and
afternoon with no rest days.
The Tournament attracted over four hundred and fifteen (415) participants. The North American Youth
Chess Championship attracts players from highly ranked chess countries, namely the United States,
Canada and Mexico. Mr. Joseph provided details: - “The average rating for the Bahamas is 1735 which
takes into account our strongest players, including adults and juniors. Competitors at the 2019 NAYCC
included Under 10 players with FIDE and USCF ratings of 1993. At the Tournament there were also more
than 40 players between the ages of 12 and 18 with FIDE ratings exceeding 2000.”
Team Bahamas got off to a slow start but Aidan Mart managed to secure a draw on Day 1 of
competition with a 1921 rated player from the United States, a player 700 points higher than Aidan’s
local rating. During the tournament the junior national team impressively took down players from the
US and Canada. The Bahamas Junior Chess Team sponsors included The MedNet Group of Companies,
Commonwealth Bank, Doctors Hospital, MCG Adjusters and Post Boxes Etc.
“We are very proud of the performance of the Bahamas Junior Chess team, they did a great job in each
of their sections,” exclaimed Elton Joseph. He added: - “We went to a tournament with very strong
players; we gained a lot of experience and managed to get some wins. I would also like to thank our
generous sponsors who made this trip possible. The importance of having the opportunity to compete
on the international stage is crucial to local players who wish to pursue chess at a professional level.”
Picture 2: Members of Team Bahamas during Inter-round strategy and training session