The "Bajan" duo of FMs Delisle Warner and Philip Corbin traveled to Martinique (an overseas department of France) to compete in the Caribbean Open. While the diminutive island of Martinique is not well-known in chess circles, it is quite active.

Martinique's national champion Gilles Suez-Panama, was the only player to stop Warner from winning outright. Competition was fierce as the top three players (Warner, Corbin, Suez-Panama) scored 1-1 against each other: Suez-Panama beating Warner, Warner beating Corbin, and Corbin beating Suez-Panama.

Gilles Suez-Panama, FM Delisle Warner and FM Philip Corbin

(L-R) Gilles Suez-Panama, FM Delisle Warner and FM Philip Corbin

Warner and Corbin would tie for 1st with 6-1, but Warner had better tiebreaks. Suez-Panama would tie for 3rd-4th position with Raymond Marbot on 5½-1½. Martinican junior Yonhel Medeuf scored 5-2.

Final Crosstable 

Ligue d'Echecs de la Martinique (National website)

Posted by The Chess Drum: 4 November 2003