Jamaica Chess Federation - National Champs 2003

JAMAICANS RETURN FROM 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD
DEBORAH RICHARDS EARNS WFM TITLE

The Jamaican National Chess Team and the Womens Chess Team returned to the island on Wednesday from the 37th Chess Olympiad held in Turin, Italy. The National team secured a 2-2 draw against Malta in the 13th and final round to end the tournament with a score of 23.5, a half point behind Trinidad and Tobago who completed their fixtures on 24 and a full point behind Barbados who finished on 24.5.

Despite finishing behind their Caribbean rivals, Jamaica still managed to improve upon their performance at the last Olympiad held two years ago in Calvia, Spain. Their percentage in 2006 is 45.19%, a marginal improvement on the 43.75% earned in 2004.

The main highlights for the National team were the performances of FIDE Master Warren Elliott, National Master Duane Row and National Master Russel Porter, and their drawn match with Finland, which featured two Grand Masters and two International Masters.

Elliott scored 6.5 from 11 games, which included notable wins against an International Master and a FIDE Master. Rowe scored 6 points from 11 games, which included draws against two International Masters and a FIDE Master. Porter secured 4.5 points from 8 games and in the process became the first Jamaican to defeat a Grand Master.

Other members of the team included National Masters Shane Matthews, Jomo Pitterson and Equitable Brown, who all performed creditably.

The Jamaican Womens team were not to be outdone, as Board 1 player and reigning National Womens Champion Deborah Richards, secured 7 points from 11 games to earn the title of Woman FIDE Master. Only two other Jamaicans have earned internationally recognised titles from FIDE the world governing body for chess, Grantel Gibbs and Warren Elliott, who are both FIDE Masters.

As a team, the Jamaican women secured 17.5 points from 39 matches, 4 points ahead of the Trinidad and Tobago team, which finished on 13.5 points. Barbados did not field a womens team.

Jamaicas womens team also included Zhu Hui, Vanessa Thomas and Camille Casserly.

Armenia topped the open event with a score of 36 points, while Ukraine won the Womens tournament after scoring 29.5 points.

END

REPORT 5 -ROUND 6-7

By Peter Myers

DATE MAY 28, 2006

JAMAICA REBOUND TO HAMMER CYPRUS & DRAW WITH TAJIKISTAN
37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD

Jamaica rebounded from losses in rounds four and five to trounce Cyprus 4-0 and draw 2-2 with Tajikistan in rounds six and seven of 37th Chess Olympiad currently taking place in Turin, Italy.

Against Cyprus, Jamaica fielded the team of Warren Elliott, Duane Rowe, Russel Porter and Equitable Brown, who outplayed the Cypriots from start to finish.

For the match against Tajistan, who boasted a Grand Master and an International Master on Boards one and two respectively, Shane Matthews was brought back to replace Russel Porter on the Jamaica team.

Winning for Jamaica were Elliott on Board 2 against International Master Jamshed Isaev and Rowe on Board 3 against Mukhamm Khusenkhodzhaev. Matthews lost a close one on board one to Grand Master Farrukh Amonatov and Brown succumbed to Ilhom Yunusov on Board 4.

Jamaica, who are now on 14 points, 7 behind leaders Armenia, will next play the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Jamaica Womens team secured their second match win of the Olympiad when they defeated Malta 3-0. The Jamaican women, who are now on 10 points, 7.5 behind leaders Russia, will next play the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

END

REPORT 4 -ROUND 4-5

By Peter Myers

JAMAICA SUFFER SUCCESSIVE DEFEATS
37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD

The Jamaican National Chess team suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Mexico and Guatemala respectively, as play continued at the 37th Chess Olympiad currently taking place in Turin, Italy.

Jamaica, who were on a high after securing an impressive 2-2 draw with the more highly fancied Finnish Team on Tuesday, received a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing from the Mexicans on Wednesday and were edged 2.5 1.5 by the Guatemalans on Thursday.

After five rounds of play Jamaica, who are currently on 8 points, have managed to maintain their position as the top country from the English-speaking Caribbean ahead of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago who are both on 7.5 points.

A number of countries from the wider Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Zone have however rushed pass Jamaica, these include the Dominican Republic 8.5, Guatemala 9, Costa Rica 9.5, Nicaragua 9.5, El Salvador 11 and Ecuador 11.5. Cuba continue to lead CAC with 12.5 points, ahead of Mexico and Ecuador who are both on 11.5 points.

Russia and Armenia are now overall co-leaders with 15.5 points. Jamaica will next face Cyprus.

In the Womens event, Jamaica won their first match in five starts when they blanked Qatar 3-0 on Thursday. They are now on 6 points, 6.5 behind leaders Russia and will next face Tajikistan.

END

REPORT 3 -ROUND 3

By Peter Myers

DATE MAY 23, 2006

JAMAICA HOLD FINLAND 2-2
37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD

Jamaicas National Chess Team continued their good form at the 37th Chess Olympiad currently underway in Turin Italy, holding Finland to a 2-2 draw in round 3 play on Tuesday.

Top performer for the Jamaicans was National Master Russel Porter, who fought his way through a tough position to defeat Finish Grand Master Heikki Westerinen on Board 4.

Porter was ably supported by FIDE Master Warren Elliott and National Master Duane Rowe, who drew their games against Finnish International Masters Mika Karttunen and Tapani Sammalvuo respectively. Jamaicas Board 1, National Master Shane Matthews suffered his first defeat of the Olympiad when he lost to Finish Grandmaster Tomi Nyback.

Jamaica are now on 6.5 points, tied with Mexico and Ecuador as the third highest placed countries from the Central American and Caribbean region, behind Colombia on 8 and Cuba on 7. Jamaicas next opponent will be the #55 ranked Mexico.

In terms of overall standings, three countries, China, Uzbekistan and favourites Russia are all tied at the top on 10.5 points.

END

REPORT 2 -ROUND 2

By Peter Myers

DATE MAY 23, 2006

JAMAICA BLANK SOUTH KOREA 4-0
37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD

Jamaicas National Chess team took no prisoners in their second round match of the 2006 Chess Olympiad currently underway in Turin Italy, drubbing South Korea 4-0 on Monday. Winning for Jamaica were Shane Matthews, Jomo Pitterson, Warren Elliott and Duane Rowe.

In round 1 action on Sunday, Jamaica went down 0.53.5 to Uzbekistan. In that match, Jamaicas Olympiad veteran and seven time National Champion, National Master Shane Matthews, drew with Grand Master Aleksey Barsov on Board 1 to secure Jamaicas half point.

Jamaica who were given a finalised ranking 102 in the field of 149 registered entrants, will next play Finland who are ranked 53rd.

In the womens tournament, Jamaica has not been faring as well, as they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in Round 1 and 3-0 by Indonesia in round 2. There was some consolation for the Jamaican women however, as their sole point, which came against Argentina, was secured by National Womens Champion Deborah Richards who stunned Womens International Master Marisa Zuriel of Argentina.

The Jamaican womens team who were given a finalised ranking of 79 will next play Iraq who are ranked at 88.

END

REPORT 1 -ROUND 1
By Ian Wilkinson

FIRST REPORT

JAMAICA'S “REGGAE CHESS AMBASSADORS” OFF TO A FIGHTING START

Jamaica, after arriving in Turin, Italy on Saturday, 20th May, 2006 via Gatwick, London, England, got off to a fighting start in first round action today, Sunday 21st May, 2006 in the 37th Chess Olympiad being held in Turin, Italy.

In the women's section in match 27, Jamaica's women's team lost 1-2 to the much higher rated Argentina but, on the top board,four-time defending Jamaican women's champion Woman National Master Deborah Richards crowned herself and her country in glory by playing a tactical Sicilian Defence with the black pieces to defeat her more fancied opponent Woman International Master Marisa Zuriel on the top board.

Jamaica's other representatives Chinese-born Zhu Hui and Vanessa Thomas lost on boards two and three to Woman International Masters Liliana Burijovich and Maria Belen Sarquis, respectively.

Jamaica's women's team is completed by Camille Casserly the reserve and chef de mission Ian Wilkinson, the captain.

There are 108 teams in the womens' section [which is played on three boards] and the defending champions, China, and traditional powerhouses Russia are the odds-on favourites to win the title.

The “Magician” fights bravely

Although the men went down 0.5 – 3.5 to traditional chess power, Uzbekistan, National Master Shane “the Magician” Matthews, Jamaica's record seven-time national champion, got his country on the board with a fighting performance to draw with the strong Grandmaster Aleksey Barsov on the top board in a Tarrasch variation of the French Defence.

National Masters Jomo Pitterson and Duane Rowe lost to Grandmasters Timur Gareev and Saidali Iuldachev,on boards two and four, respectively, while defending Jamaica champion Fide Master Warren Elliott lost a hard-fought battle in a Closed Ruy Lopez on board three against International Master Anton Filippov.

The other members of Jamaica's men's team are the reserves National Master Russel Porter and National Master-elect Equitable Brown and non- playing captain National Master Robert Wheeler who will be Jamaica's delegate at the much anticipated June 2-4 Congress of the World Chess Federation [FIDE]when a fierce contest for the presidency is expected.

CARIBBEAN NEIGHBOURS ALSO BATTLING

Jamaica's neighbours Trinidad and Tobago lost 1-3 to Sweden but the shock of the encounter was the fact that many-time Trinidad national champion Cristo Cave defeated popular Swedish Grandmaster Tiger Hillarp Persson to great jubilation in the Caribbean camp. The “Trinis” and their supporters will hope that this loss is not a precursor of their imminent world cup match against Sweden in Germany.

There are 146 teams in the men's [or Open] section of the Olympiad [matches are played on four boards] with the defending champions being Ukraine who, in the absence of the retired Russian mega-Grandmaster Garry Kasparov wrested the title from the dominant many-time champions Russia at the last [36th] Chess Olympiad held in Calvia, Mallorca in 2004.

At the time of writing this report, Jamaica's opponents in round two, scheduled for Monday 22nd May, have not yet been announced. The “Reggae Chess Ambassadors” are, however, hoping to continue with their auspicious start.

Ian Wilkinson

President,

Jamaica Chess Federation

Turin,Italy

21st May, 2006

International News Middlesex Reports Cornwall Reports JCF Calendar Books and Equipment FAQ Fide Handbook Resources Newsletter Sponsors Articles Correspondence		2006 CHESS Olympiad -Turin

		JAMAICANS RETURN FROM 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD DEBORAH RICHARDS EARNS WFM TITLE The Jamaican National Chess Team and the Womens Chess Team returned to the island on Wednesday from the 37th Chess Olympiad held in Turin, Italy. The National team secured a 2-2 draw against Malta in the 13th and final round to end the tournament with a score of 23.5, a half point behind Trinidad and Tobago who completed their fixtures on 24 and a full point behind Barbados who finished on 24.5. Despite finishing behind their Caribbean rivals, Jamaica still managed to improve upon their performance at the last Olympiad held two years ago in Calvia, Spain. Their percentage in 2006 is 45.19%, a marginal improvement on the 43.75% earned in 2004. The main highlights for the National team were the performances of FIDE Master Warren Elliott, National Master Duane Row and National Master Russel Porter, and their drawn match with Finland, which featured two Grand Masters and two International Masters. Elliott scored 6.5 from 11 games, which included notable wins against an International Master and a FIDE Master. Rowe scored 6 points from 11 games, which included draws against two International Masters and a FIDE Master. Porter secured 4.5 points from 8 games and in the process became the first Jamaican to defeat a Grand Master. Other members of the team included National Masters Shane Matthews, Jomo Pitterson and Equitable Brown, who all performed creditably. The Jamaican Womens team were not to be outdone, as Board 1 player and reigning National Womens Champion Deborah Richards, secured 7 points from 11 games to earn the title of Woman FIDE Master. Only two other Jamaicans have earned internationally recognised titles from FIDE the world governing body for chess, Grantel Gibbs and Warren Elliott, who are both FIDE Masters. As a team, the Jamaican women secured 17.5 points from 39 matches, 4 points ahead of the Trinidad and Tobago team, which finished on 13.5 points. Barbados did not field a womens team. Jamaicas womens team also included Zhu Hui, Vanessa Thomas and Camille Casserly. Armenia topped the open event with a score of 36 points, while Ukraine won the Womens tournament after scoring 29.5 points. END REPORT 5 -ROUND 6-7 By Peter Myers DATE MAY 28, 2006 JAMAICA REBOUND TO HAMMER CYPRUS & DRAW WITH TAJIKISTAN 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD Jamaica rebounded from losses in rounds four and five to trounce Cyprus 4-0 and draw 2-2 with Tajikistan in rounds six and seven of 37th Chess Olympiad currently taking place in Turin, Italy. Against Cyprus, Jamaica fielded the team of Warren Elliott, Duane Rowe, Russel Porter and Equitable Brown, who outplayed the Cypriots from start to finish. For the match against Tajistan, who boasted a Grand Master and an International Master on Boards one and two respectively, Shane Matthews was brought back to replace Russel Porter on the Jamaica team. Winning for Jamaica were Elliott on Board 2 against International Master Jamshed Isaev and Rowe on Board 3 against Mukhamm Khusenkhodzhaev. Matthews lost a close one on board one to Grand Master Farrukh Amonatov and Brown succumbed to Ilhom Yunusov on Board 4. Jamaica, who are now on 14 points, 7 behind leaders Armenia, will next play the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Jamaica Womens team secured their second match win of the Olympiad when they defeated Malta 3-0. The Jamaican women, who are now on 10 points, 7.5 behind leaders Russia, will next play the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. END REPORT 4 -ROUND 4-5 By Peter Myers JAMAICA SUFFER SUCCESSIVE DEFEATS 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD The Jamaican National Chess team suffered back-to-back defeats at the hands of Mexico and Guatemala respectively, as play continued at the 37th Chess Olympiad currently taking place in Turin, Italy. Jamaica, who were on a high after securing an impressive 2-2 draw with the more highly fancied Finnish Team on Tuesday, received a comprehensive 4-0 drubbing from the Mexicans on Wednesday and were edged 2.5 1.5 by the Guatemalans on Thursday. After five rounds of play Jamaica, who are currently on 8 points, have managed to maintain their position as the top country from the English-speaking Caribbean ahead of Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago who are both on 7.5 points. A number of countries from the wider Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Zone have however rushed pass Jamaica, these include the Dominican Republic 8.5, Guatemala 9, Costa Rica 9.5, Nicaragua 9.5, El Salvador 11 and Ecuador 11.5. Cuba continue to lead CAC with 12.5 points, ahead of Mexico and Ecuador who are both on 11.5 points. Russia and Armenia are now overall co-leaders with 15.5 points. Jamaica will next face Cyprus. In the Womens event, Jamaica won their first match in five starts when they blanked Qatar 3-0 on Thursday. They are now on 6 points, 6.5 behind leaders Russia and will next face Tajikistan. END REPORT 3 -ROUND 3 By Peter Myers DATE MAY 23, 2006 JAMAICA HOLD FINLAND 2-2 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD Jamaicas National Chess Team continued their good form at the 37th Chess Olympiad currently underway in Turin Italy, holding Finland to a 2-2 draw in round 3 play on Tuesday. Top performer for the Jamaicans was National Master Russel Porter, who fought his way through a tough position to defeat Finish Grand Master Heikki Westerinen on Board 4. Porter was ably supported by FIDE Master Warren Elliott and National Master Duane Rowe, who drew their games against Finnish International Masters Mika Karttunen and Tapani Sammalvuo respectively. Jamaicas Board 1, National Master Shane Matthews suffered his first defeat of the Olympiad when he lost to Finish Grandmaster Tomi Nyback. Jamaica are now on 6.5 points, tied with Mexico and Ecuador as the third highest placed countries from the Central American and Caribbean region, behind Colombia on 8 and Cuba on 7. Jamaicas next opponent will be the #55 ranked Mexico. In terms of overall standings, three countries, China, Uzbekistan and favourites Russia are all tied at the top on 10.5 points. END REPORT 2 -ROUND 2 By Peter Myers DATE MAY 23, 2006 JAMAICA BLANK SOUTH KOREA 4-0 37TH CHESS OLYMPIAD Jamaicas National Chess team took no prisoners in their second round match of the 2006 Chess Olympiad currently underway in Turin Italy, drubbing South Korea 4-0 on Monday. Winning for Jamaica were Shane Matthews, Jomo Pitterson, Warren Elliott and Duane Rowe. In round 1 action on Sunday, Jamaica went down 0.53.5 to Uzbekistan. In that match, Jamaicas Olympiad veteran and seven time National Champion, National Master Shane Matthews, drew with Grand Master Aleksey Barsov on Board 1 to secure Jamaicas half point. Jamaica who were given a finalised ranking 102 in the field of 149 registered entrants, will next play Finland who are ranked 53rd. In the womens tournament, Jamaica has not been faring as well, as they were beaten 2-1 by Argentina in Round 1 and 3-0 by Indonesia in round 2. There was some consolation for the Jamaican women however, as their sole point, which came against Argentina, was secured by National Womens Champion Deborah Richards who stunned Womens International Master Marisa Zuriel of Argentina. The Jamaican womens team who were given a finalised ranking of 79 will next play Iraq who are ranked at 88. END REPORT 1 -ROUND 1 By Ian Wilkinson FIRST REPORT JAMAICA'S “REGGAE CHESS AMBASSADORS” OFF TO A FIGHTING START Jamaica, after arriving in Turin, Italy on Saturday, 20th May, 2006 via Gatwick, London, England, got off to a fighting start in first round action today, Sunday 21st May, 2006 in the 37th Chess Olympiad being held in Turin, Italy. In the women's section in match 27, Jamaica's women's team lost 1-2 to the much higher rated Argentina but, on the top board,four-time defending Jamaican women's champion Woman National Master Deborah Richards crowned herself and her country in glory by playing a tactical Sicilian Defence with the black pieces to defeat her more fancied opponent Woman International Master Marisa Zuriel on the top board. Jamaica's other representatives Chinese-born Zhu Hui and Vanessa Thomas lost on boards two and three to Woman International Masters Liliana Burijovich and Maria Belen Sarquis, respectively. Jamaica's women's team is completed by Camille Casserly the reserve and chef de mission Ian Wilkinson, the captain. There are 108 teams in the womens' section [which is played on three boards] and the defending champions, China, and traditional powerhouses Russia are the odds-on favourites to win the title. The “Magician” fights bravely Although the men went down 0.5 – 3.5 to traditional chess power, Uzbekistan, National Master Shane “the Magician” Matthews, Jamaica's record seven-time national champion, got his country on the board with a fighting performance to draw with the strong Grandmaster Aleksey Barsov on the top board in a Tarrasch variation of the French Defence. National Masters Jomo Pitterson and Duane Rowe lost to Grandmasters Timur Gareev and Saidali Iuldachev,on boards two and four, respectively, while defending Jamaica champion Fide Master Warren Elliott lost a hard-fought battle in a Closed Ruy Lopez on board three against International Master Anton Filippov. The other members of Jamaica's men's team are the reserves National Master Russel Porter and National Master-elect Equitable Brown and non- playing captain National Master Robert Wheeler who will be Jamaica's delegate at the much anticipated June 2-4 Congress of the World Chess Federation [FIDE]when a fierce contest for the presidency is expected. CARIBBEAN NEIGHBOURS ALSO BATTLING Jamaica's neighbours Trinidad and Tobago lost 1-3 to Sweden but the shock of the encounter was the fact that many-time Trinidad national champion Cristo Cave defeated popular Swedish Grandmaster Tiger Hillarp Persson to great jubilation in the Caribbean camp. The “Trinis” and their supporters will hope that this loss is not a precursor of their imminent world cup match against Sweden in Germany. There are 146 teams in the men's [or Open] section of the Olympiad [matches are played on four boards] with the defending champions being Ukraine who, in the absence of the retired Russian mega-Grandmaster Garry Kasparov wrested the title from the dominant many-time champions Russia at the last [36th] Chess Olympiad held in Calvia, Mallorca in 2004. At the time of writing this report, Jamaica's opponents in round two, scheduled for Monday 22nd May, have not yet been announced. The “Reggae Chess Ambassadors” are, however, hoping to continue with their auspicious start. Ian Wilkinson President, Jamaica Chess Federation Turin,Italy 21st May, 2006
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