Christie moves closer to history

Jamaican FIDE Master Joshua Christie is ecstatic after moving to within one international norm of earning the International Master title from the world chess governing body, FIDE.

The milestone comes after he topped an international field that included Ukrainian grandmaster Dimitri Komarov, two Cubans and two Mexicans at the Magnificent Chess Open, which was held over six days.

Christie finished unbeaten on seven points.

“It was a great tournament ... It’s an honour to play this calibre of tournament in Jamaica,” Christie told The Gleaner.

Christie, a member of Jamaica’s five-man Olympiad team that is set to compete at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan next month, defeated Cuban grandmaster Juan Matos Borges and held Komarov to a draw while posting five wins and four draws from nine games.

He also defeated Cuba’s junior champion and International Master Leduard Gonzalez, as well as International Master Lisandro Fernandez, who was born in Cuba but represents Mexico.

“I’m happy I was able to win it and get my second International Master norm,” an ecstatic Christie said.

He now has an opportunity to become Jamaica’s first home-grown grandmaster.

Importantly, Christie’s performance also earned him an International Master norm, leaving him just one norm short of the International Master title.

“Yes, it’s going to be a difficult journey but that’s definitely the goal, to become Jamaica’s first home-grown grandmaster.”

Chairman of the Magnificent Chess Foundation and Jamaica Chess Federation President Ian Wilkinson said the results were a source of pride for Jamaican chess.

“Oh, this is historic,” Wilkinson told The Gleaner.

“I wanted to bring international players to Jamaica of the highest quality and calibre, so that our players could get great exposure and great games before the Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan, which starts in roughly another few weeks,” he added, noting that travel costs usually rob local players of valuable international experience.

“So, I just thought, you know, let me use some of my personal resources and bring players here. And this is the strongest (international) tournament we have had locally, ever. And the most expensive in terms of cash prizes and so on,” Wilkinson disclosed.

“So, [while] all the international opposition [was] much higher rated than us on paper ... our own Joshua Christie won. And I’m so proud of our players. They did so well and they gave a good account of Jamaican chess,” Wilkinson boasted.

The national chess boss revealed that the winner of the Challengers section will automatically be promoted to play in the Masters section next year.

“... We are excited for the future. Jamaica is the number-one chess-playing country, at least in the English-speaking Caribbean, and we’re happy about it,” he added.

The tournament also produced strong performances from other Jamaican players.

In the Challengers section, Jayden Foreshaw finished first with eight wins from nine games.

His only loss came against nine-time Trinidad and Tobago national champion and FIDE Master Ryan Harper, who finished second on 6.5 points.

Jamaicans also dominated the Open section, occupying the top four positions.

Candidate Master Jhustine-Dimonte McDonald won the section unbeaten on eight points, recording seven wins and two draws.

Remone Johnson and Candidate Master Darren McKennis finished second and third, respectively, both on 6.5 points.