Jamaica Jamaica Jamaica

Ian Wilkinson, "'RIPPERS' DEFEATS THE 'BOYZ',"  Jamaican Chess Federation, 8 July 2006 (Kingston, Jamaica).

The excitement in the inaugural LASCO Chess League continued to mount when the dust had settled on round 10 action played June 24, 2006 at RBTT Jamaica Bank, Dominica Drive in New Kingston. With the fourth-placed Gladiators having a bye, the resurgent King Rippers pulled off a major upset in defeating the hitherto undefeated Blitzkrieg Boys, the leaders and highest rated team in the competition. This result has thrown the event wide open with four rounds to go as several teams are now in with a chance of grabbing top honours.     

With the
Boys' leader NM Malaku Lorne arriving late for his game and defaulting against the Rippers' NM Robert Wheeler on board one, the attention turned to board two where the future master and talented national junior champion Brandon Wilson had the black pieces against the underdog Ian Wilkinson, the captain of the King Rippers. After a thrilling encounter in a Queen's Gambit Declined, Wilson resigned on 52 moves shortly after Wilkinson had promoted a pawn to have two queens on the board.

Ian Wilkinson looking serious before the start of the game. (Photo courtesy of NM John Powell)

     Wilkinson looking serious before the start of the game
(Photo courtesy of NM John Powell)

Although 2005 national junior champion Christopher Buchanan won against NM John Powell on board three to spare the blushes of the leaders, the Rippers' Gary Hew drew with Allan Wilson on board four to ensure that his team won 2 ½ to 1 ½.

One of the pre-tournament favourites, the
Knightmares, stayed in contention with a comfortable 3 ½ - ½ victory over the courageous Little Giants with the auspicious Stuart James playing well to hold the NM-destined Equitable Brown on board two after NM Jomo Pitterson had worn down Hakim Buchanan on board one. Mikhail Solomon prevailed over Tewana Mellace on board three while the victors had a default victory on board four.

Varcon CC cemented their third place position with a 4-0 routing of the disintegrating Reggae Knights who defaulted on three boards! On board two Jamaica's Chess queen WFM Deborah Richards, fresh from her historic performance at the Turin Chess Olympiad, survived the pyrotechnics to defeat Candidate Master Markland Douglas whose flag fell when he appeared to have at least a draw at his disposal.

 WFM Richards poses for the camera before the game! (Photo courtesy of NM John Powell)

WFM Richards poses for the camera before the game!
(Photo courtesy of NM John Powell)

The standings after the end of the 10th round are: Blitzkrieg Boys 26, Knightmares 25, Varcon CC 23, Gladiators 18, King Rippers 13½, Reggae Knights and Little Giants 5.  The round 11 matches, to be played on July 8 at the Holy Childhood High School library, are Knightmares - King Rippers, Little Giants - Reggae Knights and Varcon CC - Gladiators. Blitzkrieg Boys have a bye.

~ Ian Wilkinson, President Jamaica Chess Federation ~


Note: Also see Pete Myers' report and chart on team and individuals and medal standings after Round 10.

Round-by-Round Drum Coverage

Posted by The Chess Drum: 12 July 2006