Roderick Noel, Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association, Alex Jackman (under-14), Jonathan Chong (under-10), Roert Mayers, CMMB, Brandon Wilson (under-20). Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

Prize winners: IM Humberto Pecorelli-Garcia (1st), IM Amon Simutowe (2nd), Roger Matoewi (5th), Roderick Noel, President of Trinidad Chess Association, Jomo Pitterson (4th), Ryan Harper (3rd). Photo by Daaim Shabazz.

The CMMB Caribbean Chess Championships drew more than 100 players from eleven different chess federations and resulted in an exciting four-day chess festival. Representatives from Nigeria and Guyana were unable to make the trip due to logistical reasons. Delegations present were: Trinidad & Tobago, Suriname, Barbados, Jamaica, Cuba, Zambia, USA, St. Lucia, Martinique, Slovakia and the Netherlands.

Nevertheless, the diversity of nations was  impressive and Trinidad and Tobago Chess Foundation (TTCF) President Edison Raphael hopes to expand the number of nations in next year's event. Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) President Roderick Noel attended the awards ceremony and offered words of encouragement and praise. Both entities hope to work together toward future initiatives to promote chess on the twin islands.

TTCF organized television interviews (Channel 4, CNC 3, Morning Edition). There was also newspaper coverage by the local press and online coverage by The Chess Drum. Investment firm CMMB was the primary sponsor and their contributions to the success of the tournament were appreciated. Robert Mayers, who serves as Director of CMMB, Ltd., stated, "we are confident that our involvement in this tournament will assist in the building of intelligence and the development of intellect, morals and ethics in the tournament's participants." It is with hope that they will continue to see chess as more than an "intelligent investment."

Senior
1 Pecorelli-Garcia, Humberto CUBA (2386) 6.5
2 Simutowe, Amon ZAMBIA (2421) 6.5
3 Harper, Ryan TRINIDAD (2300) 6
4 Pitterson, Jomo JAMAICA (2211) 5.5
5 Matoewi, Roger SURINAME (2150) 5.5

Under-20
1 Wilson, Brandon JAMAICA (2116 FIDE)  7
2 Salloum, Justin TRINIDAD 6
3 Noreskal, Slomy MARTINIQUE 6
4 Sanches, Romario SURINAME 5.5
5 Malgie, Avikaar SURINAME 5.5

Under-14
1 Jackman, Alex BARBADOS 1798 7
2 Pryce, Phillip JAMAICA 6.5
3 Guerrero, Rafael TRINIDAD 6
4 Paul, Jarryon TRINIDAD 6
5 Dos Ramos, Geryen SURINAME 5.5

Under-10
1 Chong, Jonathan TRINIDAD 7
2 Kafiluddin, Alexander SURINAME 6.5
3 Tjong Tjin Joe, Cavin SURINAME 5.5
4 Nelson, Ronnie TRINIDAD 5
5  Dos Ramos Jr., Carlos SURINAME 4.5

Posted by The Chess Drum: 14 August 2007

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