Peter Myers, "Rowe wins Second New Years Open," 2 February 2005 (Clarendon, Jamaica).

National Master Duane Rowe made it two in row, when he topped the New Years Chess Open for the second straight year, at the Guardian Life Head Office over the weekend.

Rowe, whose last tournament victory was last year's New Years Open, drew his final round game against National Master Jomo Pitterson, to end the tournament unbeaten on 5½ points from 6 games.

National Master Malaku Lorne took second place with 5 points, while third prize was shared between Pitterson and Peter Myers who both finished with 4 points. The best female and best junior in the Open section was National Women's Champion Deborah Richards.

The Amateur Section was won by Charlemont High's Mikhail Solomon, who finished with 5 ½ from 6 games. Second place went to Alando Campbell of Wolmer's Boys, while third place went to Campion College's Phillip Pryce.

The Women's section was won by Iyatiti Mokube who scored a perfect 6 points from six games. The tournament had 76 competitors and was co-sponsored by Guardian Life and CB Traders Ltd. The next Tournament on the Jamaica Chess Federation calendar is the National Junior Championships scheduled to begin February 12.

Posted by The Chess Drum: 3 February 2005