The Tribune

CLUB Awari hosted a successful Junior Chess Tournament recently at the Ty’s Place on Village Road with 12 competitors participating.

Dr David Sands, the tournament director, formed the club in 1988 along with Roosevelt Finlayson as a social networking club with an emphasis on mind sports.

Its chief goal was to preserve and promote the game of African Chess called Warrior Awari, an almost lost relic of our African heritage. Their motto is Play, Learn and Grow.

“At present we run a Mind Sports Club at Ty”s Place on Village Road,” Dr Sands said. “We meet on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm when you may come to play, learn or compete in your favourite table game.”

Club Awari held the 2021 Junior Chess Tournament for players under 20 years of age on April 17 with the 12 participants ranging from age 3-16 years. The youngest participant was Grayson Jones, who is listed as the youngest chess participant in a chess tournament in the Bahamas.

Dr Sands said they intend to make the tournament a monthly event.

Here’s a look at the winners of the first Club Awari Junior Chess Tournament:

Five (5) years: 1st place - tie for Grayson Jones and Jules Lottin.

Beginners: 1st place - Lennox White; 2nd place - Sasheene Pyne; 3rd place - Lucas Lottin.

10 years: 1st place - Lhale Hanchell.

Juniors - Ages 10-16: 1st place - Max White; 2nd place - Curtis Pride; 3rd place - Avian Pride.