" He is faster, faster, faster than light.."

Candidate Master Mark Smith moved closer to becoming Jamaica’s next National Master of chess when he won the 2002 Jamaica Open at Christar Villas over the weekend.

Smith, a twenty-three year old engineer at Petrojam, took the Jamaica Open title with a final round victory over Markland Douglas, ending the tournament unbeaten on
4½ points from a possible 5. This was Smith’s second straight Open victory, following on his win in the 2002 Summer Open.

Second place went to Malaku Lorne on tie break over Humphrey Gayle who placed third. Both players scored 4 points from a possible 5.

VANESSA THOMAS WINS BEST FEMALE

The award for best female went to Vanessa Thomas of the University of the West Indies, while Malaku Lorne walked away with the Best Junior prize.

BRANDON WILSON OF ARDENNE WINS BEST U 1800

The Under-1800 rated section was won on tie-break by Ardenne High’s Brandon Wilson who scored 4½ points from a possible 5, the same as Mannings High’s Marc James who placed second. In third was Duval Vassell who also hails from Mannings High.

SELISA LITTLE OF MANNINGS HIGH WINS BEST U1800 FEMALE

The best female Under-1800 award went to Selisa Little of Mannings High.

KEVIN LYLE OF WOLMERS HIGH FOR BOYS WINS U 16 MEDAL

kevin Lyle of Wolmer’s Boys was awarded the top under 16 medal.

ANDRE FRASER OF ARDENNE WINS U 12 MEDAL

Ardenne High’s Andre Fraser took the Best Under 12 medal.

The next Chess Open will be the Christmas Open, scheduled to take place mid December 2002.