"Abracadabra.."
---- Houdini

INTRODUCTION

The chess career of Jamaica's number one rated player, NM Shane Matthews, reads like a fairy tale. After learning the game in 1974,Matthews played his first Tournament when he placed second in the first qualifier of the National Junior Championships of 1981. Just two years later he achieved the title of National Master in 1983, with the help of a winning streak of five straight games in the X-mas ladder of '82 and some open tournaments in '83.

PLAYING STYLE

Known in most chess circles as the "Magician" Matthew's strongest quality is probably his great determination and fighting spirit even in inferior positions. His real strength is best seen in the middle game, when theory recedes in the background and tactical blows and concrete variations become of paramount importance. While his years of experience has enabled him to develop a keen strategic and positional understanding, Shane Matthews is first and foremost a Chess Tactician par excellence.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

This many time National Champion is the current 2002 National Chess Champion after a 5 year drought when he didnt come first since the National Championship of 1997. He also previously came second in the National Championships of 2001, behind FM Warren Elliott. He remains to date,the only Jamaican to have attained a rating of over 2400 and is currently the highest ranked player in Jamaica. He is a current member of the JCF executive body and chairs the Ratings committee.
Some highlights of his chess career are as follows;

2002 National Championships; 1st place ahead of NM Pitterson(6.5/9)
2000 Olympiad in Turkey; Represented Jamaica on board 1 and scored (4/11)
1998 Olympiad in Elista; Represented Jamaica on board 1, scoring (6/11)
1991 Caribbean Open in Trinidad; Placed 5th
1988 Olympiad in Greece; Scored (7/13) on Board 4.
1985 Commonwealth U 26 a; Placed 1st ahead of Ron Buckmire (4/5)

RECENT TOURNAMENT RESULTS

NM Shane Matthews has finally reclaimed his National Title and is now simultaneously Jamaica's number one Player and also the reigning National Champion. Before that he stamped his dominance on the chess scene with a winning streak of back to back victories in some major Open Tournaments. His last open tournament victory occurred when he placed first in the 2002 Easter Open Tournament.

Some other recent Tournament victories include;

2002 Blitz Tourney; Placed 2nd
2001 Xmas Open; Placed 1st
2001 Jamaica Open; Placed 1st
2001 National Champs:Placed second
2001 Easter Open; Placed 2nd
2001 National Blitz Champs; Placed 2nd
2000 Masters Knockout; Placed 1st
2000 National Champs; Placed 2nd
2000 National Blitz Champs; Placed 2nd

CONCLUSION

There can be no dispute now. Shane Matthews is the greatest player in the history of chess in jamaica. His ability to remain inside the "Big four" which also include FM Warren Elliott, FM Grantel Gibbs, and NM Jomo Pitterson is amazing. His contribution to the development of Jamaican chess, his longevity, his achievements and his Sportsmanship are remarkable.

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