Lemaro,13, Beats Two Bahamas Chess Champs

Lemaro Thompson (center), a 13 year old student of Kingsway Academy, defeated two Bahamas Open Chess Champions on his way to a stunning victory in the Independence Tornado Chess Tournament on July 12. Lemaro beat the 2000 and 2001 Chess Champion Thierry Boeuf as well as the current Bahamas Chess Champion Valentine Cox in two 30 minute games, showing the youngster's extraordinary courage and tenacity. Warren Seymour, Chess Federation Tournament Director (right) described the tournament win as one of the best ever by a Bahamas junior. According to Chess Federation Director Bob
Bower (left), Lemaro has a depth of talent and judgment that could easily lead
him to become an internationally-rated Chess Master if he continues to train and study hard.

Thirteen year old Lemaro Thompson amazed onlookers and chess officials in beating two Bahamas Open Chess Champions to win top prize in the Independence Tornado Chess Tournament at C.C. Sweeting on July 12.

In a Swiss format tournament of five 30 minute games, the Kingsway Academy student scored 4.5 wins out of 5 games and claimed the unlikely scalps of twice Bahamas Chess Champion Thierry Boeuf and current Bahamas Champion Valentine Cox.

Despite being in an obviously lost position, Thompson created a miraculous fourth win against current Bahamas Champion Valentine Cox. In the death throes of the game, when Thompson was clearly beaten having lost many pieces and pawns, his king escaped to a stalemated position at the edge of the board. Thompson was clever enough to realise his only hope was a forced stalemate for a draw. Cox, in serious time trouble, could not find a mate nor could he avoid annoying checks from Thompson's solitary rook. Not content with a draw, Cox's time flag fell to give the game to the beaming 13 year old.

According to Thierry Boeuf, Thompson's two surprising victories showed great tenacity and spirit by perhaps the most promising junior in the Bahamas. Tournament Director Warren Seymour described the youngster's performance as one of the best ever from a Bahamian Junior, especially one so young.

"Lemaro trains hard and we're pleased to see him deserve this outstanding result," said Seymour. "It just shows that if our talented Bahamian chess juniors persue their studies, they can achieve great things, perhaps even on an international level. We're very impressed with his dedication and his ability to play tough men with higher ratings. He's not intimidated at all and for sure he knows never to give up!" said Seymour.

Thompson has won several trophies in his two years of playing chess. Together with his older chess-playing brother, Le Roi, the Thompson's home now glitters with several shelves of trophies.

Besides his recent victory, Lemaro has earned trophies from The Scholastic Junior Tournament in 2002 & 2003; The Polhemus Darling Memorial Reserve Division Champion 2003; the B.C.F Tournament U-14 winner in 2002, and Rook Division Champion in 2001; The Florida Int'l Orange Bowl 2002, 5^th place; the Heroes' Day Rook Division Winner 2001, and a B.C.F. Winter Classic Rook Division Champion.

Thompson's victory now casts him into the Open Division of Bahamas Chess Federation Tournaments where the competition to win a trophy is much stronger. His Tornado results has advanced his chess rating up over 100 points.

In the Independence Tornado event Thierry Boeuf scored second place and Ken Gibson won third with four wins each.