REPORT 2

2004 DR. HAROLD CHAN CHESS OPEN
By Peter Myers,Vice President JCF

ZAMBIAN MASTER TAKES HAROLD CHAN CHESS OPEN

(IM Amon Simutowe (L) considering his next move
against his sixth and final victim Markland Douglas in above Pic)

International Chess Master Amon Simutowe of Zambia, made light work of a field which included six (6) of Jamaica’s top chess masters, to win the 2004 Harold Chan Chess Open which took place at the
Norman Manley Law School over the weekend.

The 22 year-old Zambian star, scored a perfect six (6) points from as many games to take top honours. Second place went to FIDE Master Warren Elliot who scored 4½,
while tied for third were US Chess Expert Dr. Daaim Shabazz, Markland Douglas and National Master Ras Malaku Lorne, who all ended on 4 points.

The ‘Zambezi Shark,’ as Simutowe is sometimes called on the international chess circuit, was the guest of the Jamaica Chess Federation. He is highly fancied to become
only the second black chess player in the world to attain the highest title in chess, that of Grand Master. The first player was GM Maurice Ashley who was born in Jamaica but is now a US citizen.

Recently crowned National Under 18 and Under 16 Chess Champion Kevin Lyle, continued his good form in winning the amateur section. Lyle won on tiebreak over Christopher Buchanan after both players ended the tournament on 5 points. The female section was won by Camille Casserly.

END

 

REPORT 1

 

2004 DR. HAROLD CHAN CHESS OPEN
By Ian Wilkinson, President JCF

 

EXCITING INTERNATIONAL CHESS IN JAMAICA

The Jamaica Chess Federation will be staging the second edition of the CB Traders sponsored, Harold Chan Chess Open Tournament at the Norman Manley Law School, UWI on Saturday the 24th July (registration starts at 8 am) and Sunday 25th July, 2004. This tournament is named in honour of Dr. Harold Chan, former chess champion of Jamaica who, along with NM Robert Wheeler and the late NM Thomas Figueroa, created history by earning the first national master title in 1975.

(Im Simutowe on Left Dr. Shabazz on Right in above pic)

 

This year’s tournament has taken on added significance as the famous Zambian international chess master Amon Simutowe and US chess “expert” Dr. Daaim Shabazz will be coming to Jamaica on Wednesday 21st July, 2004 to play in the event and to give lectures and simultaneous displays.

Simutowe, widely known in international chess circles, has been hailed by the world’s number one rated player Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov as probably the best player of African extraction. Simutowe has taken part in numerous tournaments all over the world and has played in several world chess championship events.

 

Dr. Shabazz, also a teacher at Florida A&M University, is the creator and mastermind behind the internationally-acclaimed Chess Drum website which, although highlighting the deeds of players in the Pan-African Diaspora, has a large following in over one hundred and fifty countries.

The tournament will be held over six rounds, three rounds each day. The defending champion is Jamaica’s newest national master Ras Malaku Lorne. In addition to the Open section there will be an Amateur section for players rated under 1800 and a Women’s section. Many prizes, cash and otherwise, will be up for grabs.

Ian Wilkinson, President, Jamaica Chess Federation