The Fall Classic Chess Tournament took place the weekend of September 10 – 11. Kicking off on Saturday 10 September, the Fall Classic Chess Tournament was held at The University of The Bahamas (UB), Choices Restaurant. Subsequent to a recent partnership formed between UB and The Bahamas Chess Federation, BCF chess tournaments will be held at UB. This vital partnership between UB and BCF was formed to promote the growth and development of critical and analytical thinking, leadership and safe social interaction in The Bahamas through the sport of chess.
The Fall Classic Chess Tournament was set up as a 5 round Swiss format, game in 60 minutes plus 5 seconds per move tournament. The Chief Arbiter of the Fall Classic Chess Tournament was Andre White. Andre is an experienced chess arbiter. Mr. White was one of nearly two hundred (200) arbiters selected by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), out of a total of over fourteen thousand (14,000) official FIDE arbiters globally, to arbiter at the 44 th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai, India this summer. The 44th Chess Olympiad was Andre’s second Olympiad as an arbiter. The first was in Tromso, Norway in 2014.
Mr. White was assisted at the Fall Classic Chess Tournament by Angel Pride. “UB is excited for the opportunity to collaborate with The Bahamas Chess Federation,” said Dr. Joseph Ferguson, Assistant Professor, Mathematics and Chess Club Advisor, The University of The Bahamas. He continued: – “We recognize that many of the younger chess players currently in primary and high schools will one day be at UB, and we want them to know that chess has a home at the University.
President Rollins, VP Stubbs and the entire UB community congratulates BCF on the tournament and their efforts.”
The Fall Classic Chess Tournament was the final qualifier to determine who would fill the remaining spots at the upcoming Bahamas National Chess Championship. Valentine Cox defeated all his opponents and emerged as the overall winner of the tournament. Dr. Kenville Lockhart came second, and Avian Pride secured third place. The Bahamas National Chess Championship, the biggest event on the BCF calendar, is a five-day event. Players for the upcoming Bahamas National Chess Championship include CM Kendrick Knowles, Shawn Barker, Curtis Pride, CM Nathan Smith, FM Cecil Moncur, Avian Pride, Noah Albury, Trevor Bridgewater, Valentine Cox and Dr. Kenville Lockhart.
“I would first like to recognize the partnership between The University of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Chess Federation,” said CM Kendrick Knowles, President, The Bahamas Chess Federation. He added: – “I thank UB for hosting The Fall Classic Tournament and look forward to BCF hosting more chess tournaments and events in collaboration with The University of The Bahamas.
Traditionally higher education institutions and chess go hand in hand. Top universities around the world promote chess and participate regularly in chess tournaments. Congratulations to Valentine Cox on a stellar performance. I am excited for The Bahamas Nationals, the players qualifying for the Nationals are the top chess players in The Bahamas and competition will be intense.”
Source: Bahamas Chess Federation
More photo highlights below:
Bahamas Chess Federation
Chess Federation
