Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica
Clockwise: Shane Matthews, Warren Elliott, Russel Porter, Duane Rowe

Clockwise: Shane Matthews, Warren Elliott, Russel Porter, Duane Rowe

Going into the final weekend of the Jamaican Championship, there are a lot of scenarios that could play out.  The standings are as follows:

1. Elliott 6˝/7; 2. Porter 6˝/8; 3. Rowe 5/7; 4. Matthews 5/7; 5. Wheeler 3˝/7; 6. Lorne 3˝/8; 7. Holness 2˝/7; 8. Scott 2/7; 9. Wisdom 1˝/8 and 10. Richards 1/8.


Basically one point (in any combination) for Elliott will give him the title. Only Porter can equal the 7˝ points that is possible for Elliott, but Porter would lose the tiebreak. Both Rowe and Matthews cannot afford to lose or draw. Porter only has one round left to play. A loss for Elliott (in either round) would make things interesting indeed.

Let's examine a couple of  interesting scenarios for the penultimate round:

  • Scenario #1: Porter-bye; Matthews-Wheeler, 1-0; Elliott-Rowe, ˝-˝. This would mean that Elliott (7) would have to clinch against Wheeler with at least a draw. Porter only has one round left so, he'd have to beat Matthews and hope for a Wheeler upset over Elliott. Rowe and Matthews would both be eliminated.
  • Scenario #2: Porter-bye; Matthews-Wheeler, 1-0; Elliott-Rowe, 0-1. This would mean that both Matthews and Rowe would be tied with 6-2 and would trail Elliott and Porter by only ˝-point. This would make way for quite a tense finish. In this scenario, Porter-Matthews would be the marquee finalé. Matthews can defend his title if he beats Porter, Elliott loses to Wheeler and Holness holds Rowe. Rowe can win a three-way tie on tiebreaks if he beats Holness, Matthews beats Porter and Elliott is held by Wheeler. Porter would win the title  if  he beats Matthews and Elliott is held by Wheeler. If Porter only draws, then it leaves the door open for Rowe (with a win) or Elliott (with at least a draw).

2004 Jamaican National Championship
Norman Manley Law School, UWI Campus, Kingston
28 February - 28 March 2004 (11 Rounds)

Posted by The Chess Drum: 27 March 2004