Bahamas National Championship 2003
5-1 Victory Unseats A Worthy King
Franklyn "Boa
Constrictor" Gibson is the new National Bahamas Chess
Champion 2003 after capturing the Open Division crown from the 2002 champion
Valentine Cox (right). Representative from Ministry of Youth, Sports &
Culture, "Fast" Eddie Dames (center) presented Gibson (left) with the trophy
and gave the Government House audience an inspiring address. Gibson has won
the chess championships five times and is rated as one of the strongest
Bahamian chess players ever. The Chess Federation will help fund the past
three national champions to fly abroad to compete in an international
tournament next year.
Franklyn "Boa Constrictor" Gibson, the country's
highest-rated chess player and Bahamian Chess Master, captured the Bahamas
National Chess Championship 5-1 to dethrone former champ and police officer
Valentine Cox.
According to Bahamas Chess Federation observers the games were closely
fought. Although Cox lead in several games, such as game three, Gibson's
strategy to close down Cox's attacking counterplay prevailed. After Cox won
the first game in the six game match Gibson came back with four straight
wins to clinch the Open Division National Championship. Cox sportingly
played a sixth and final game at Government House, where Gibson was able to
notch up another victory for his 5-1 score.
After the match Cox explained that his opening play and lack of
over-the-board practice were the culprits. He said that Gibson in most games
unveiled deeper knowledge of the opening battlegrounds to enter the middle
game with an edge.
Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture representative "Fast" Eddie Dames took
the stage at Government House in the post event celebrations to give an
encouraging address to all the contestants and thanked them for
participating.
This is the fifth time that Gibson, also the Bahamas' foremost
magician-by-trade, has won the coveted Open Division Championship. Part of
Gibson's prize is that the Chess Federation will send him, as well as Cox,
2001 champion Thierry Boeuf and Tournament Director Warren Seymour, to
compete in an overseas tournament where the players will carry the national
flag.
In the Senior (over 55) division championship, Warren Seymour was pipped in
a sudden death playoff by Leroy MacLean. Seymour entered the final round
with a one point lead but MacLean equalised in the last game and then won
the 25 minute playoff. The Senior division contest was perhaps the closest
fought with the lead changing hands three times.
The most amazing comeback occurred in the Reserve Division when Ken Gibson
won his sudden death playoff against Bobby Bower. On entering the
championships Gibson was the easy favourite but Bower surprised commentators
with three victories in the first three games. Yet an upset never
materialized as the fast playing Gibson eked out four victories in a row
from tough positions to capture the Reserve Division crown. Having lost
several opportunities to clinch the match, Bower feels confident for 2004,
he said.
Among the top juniors, Gerald Higgs captured the Under 20s trophy in his
match with Kenville Lockhart. Higgs scored a convincing win of 4.5 to 1.5
although the match was drawn at 1.5 wins apiece going into the fourth round.
In games four, five and six Higgs scored three wins.
In the Under 18s Elton Joseph also scored a convincing 4-2 match win over Le
Roi Thompson to win the Under 18s Championship. Joseph won the first four
games outright, to clinch the title and then Thompson found a way to win the
last two as consolation. Both boys are entered to play in the Florida
International Chess Orange Bowl in late December.
In the Under 16s, Le Roi Thompson's brother, Lemaro, claimed the
championship trophy. His match started with a victory over Stephen Sands who
defaulted through a no-show, so the challenger was found. Debaro Huyler
played two games against Thompson. Leamro, who is by far the strongest
for his age group, was left disappointed by the lack of serious competition.
His crown, said tournament director Warren Seymour, was nonetheless all the
more deserved because of his strength for his age.
In the Under 14's a close match was fought between Miguel Darling and
Lincoln Knowles. Although younger, Knowles emerged victor by capturing the
championship 3.5 to 2.5. Knowles is one of the up and coming stars according
to chess federation officials.
In the Under 12s a similarly close match was fought between Dominic
Bower and Lavardo Rolle. The match was neck and neck going into the final
round at Government House but Bower prevailed 3.5 to 2.5. to capture the
crown with a final victory. Both boys are also set to battle international
teams in the Florida International Orange Bowl.
In the Under 10s, the six round match ended in a tie between Jason Bain and
Travis Obregon. Bain, however, then won the 25 minute-game play off
clinching his division and the championship. It was the first time both boys
played in a national championship under long-match conditions. The chess
federation afterwards applauded both youngsters for their great efforts and
desire to win.
Vitamalt is sponsoring four of the new national champions and four of
the silver medallists to compete in the Florida International Orange Bowl.
The event takes place on December 26-29th at the Embassy Suites, Miami
Airport. The hopeful youngsters make up two Bahamas National Chess Teams to
face tough opposition from Florida, the Caribbean and Latin America, even
perhaps up to F.I.D.E. master ranking