Lawrence Depradine and defending champion FIDE Master Martyn Del Castilho share the lead on 3½ points at the halfway stage of the Barbados National Open Chess Championship Finals, which conclude at the Wildey Gymnasium this weekend.
Depradine however has a game in hand on his co-leader.
The top two are closely followed by three other players who lie within striking distance on three points. They are Justin Kitron, veteran Fide Master Dr Philip Corbin and junior Jeremiah Farley. Kirton also has a game in hand.
In the last round, Del Castilho defeated Justin Parsons, Depradine got the better of Julissa Figueroa, Kirton overpowered Renaldo Rochester, Corbin defeated Emar Edwards, while Farley drew with Noah Clarke.
One of the highlights of the event so far, came when Farley, a junior, defeated defending champion Del Castilho in Round Two. With almost half of the players in close proximity, the final standings still largely depend on this weekend’s results.
The 2026 VEXX tournament, being contested alongside the national finals, is also finely poised, with players having completed four of their seven rounds in each section.
In the VEXX Fide rated section, Mileke Sinckler and Loki Clarke jointly lead the 29-player field with four points, while three players sit in joint third with three points. They are Aidan Singh, Charis Stuart and female Fide Master Hannah Wilson.
Additionally, Janiyah Browne, Gaybrianna Moore, Amari Blackett and Carlos Chase all sit a half point back on two and a half points. The chasing pack will hope that the two leaders slip up, allowing them to make their claim for the top spot in the event.
In the VEXX Novice section, Benjamin Farmer leads the event with four points from the four rounds. He leads Jaeden Hutson, Nia Inniss and Kashaun Brathwaite, who all have three points.
Farmer will be looking to consolidate his lead over the next three rounds to record a memorable victory over the dozen player field.
(PR)
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