WFM Richards takes Wheeler Chess Open

Story from jamaicaobserver.com Saturday, May 23, 2009 After a one-year hiatus to complete her university studies, seven-time national women's champion Woman FIDE Master (WFM) Deborah Richards marked her return to the Jamaican chess scene by winning the seventh staging of the Robert Wheeler Chess Open which took place at Jamaica College over the past weekend. Richards took the Open title after securing a hard-fought draw against National Master Brandon Wilson in the final round to end on 4.5 points from six games. Second place went to National Master Peter Myers, who also ended on 4.5 points, but was relegated to second place after two tiebreak systems were employed. Third went to National Master-elect Mikhail Solomon, who also ended on 4.5 points, but was relegated to third on tiebreak. The Intermediate Section for players with a Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) rating below 1600, was won by Kingston College student Kamaal Warren, who scored five points from six games. Second place went to Alethia Edwards of Wolmer's Girls who ended on 4.5 points, while third went to Kadian McGlashan, who also ended on 4.5 points. The Amateur Section for players with a JCF rating below 1200, was won by Janique Lee, who was perfect after winning all five of her matches. A number of category prizes were awarded as follows: Best Expert - Mark Henry, Best in Class A - Melisha Smith, Best Class B - Shawn Wilkinson, Best Class C - Jonathan Pitterson, Best Class D - Twae-Jordan Rose and Best Class E - Justin Lowe. Age group prizes were also awarded: Best U-10 - Sheanel Gardner, Best U-12 - Sheanel Gardner and Best U-14 - Jonathan Pitterson.