Ten-time national champion and Woman International Master Deborah Richards-Porter.
Contributed
In a celebration of female prowess on the chessboard, the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston is set to host the WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Lady's Chess Tournament on December 2 and 3, 2023. This all-woman chess event, now in its 10th year, pays tribute to the legendary Deborah Richards Porter, a 10-time national champion and trailblazer in the world of chess.
Richards-Porter said she is humbled that the event is being held in her honour.
“So coming from a time when I was playing and there were hardly any females playing, to having a situation now where there are a lot more girls, it's very heartwarming to see Jamaica get to this point whereby we have this many females playing,” she told Sportsmax.TV.
“And so to have worked tirelessly over the years to accomplish everything that's I’ve accomplished with the help of so many people to now have a tournament in my name it's a very humbling experience.”
She expressed the aspiration that the tournament will help bring even more female players to the game.
“I do hope that this sort of event will help empower females, not just those who are playing but also the parents, the moms, the dads, aunties of girls who want to go into sports or want to go into activities that are traditionally male oriented, to help to push and boost their daughters and to help to foster an idea or thinking their daughters, their nieces to know you are not limited because you're a female.
“You can also do it. Whatever you want to achieve, you can achieve it because you don't put any limits on yourself. And so that's what I want this tournament to symbolize more than anything else.”
Ian Wilkinson, Chairman of the Jamaica Chess Federation’s Women's Chess Committee, shed light on the significance of naming the tournament after Richards Porter. He emphasized the significance of honouring Richards Porters, stating, “She is a living legend, a real deal, who has achieved milestones that no other female player in the English-speaking Caribbean has accomplished. The tournament is a fitting tribute to recognize her outstanding contributions to the world of chess.”
Richards Porter left an indelible mark on the chess world. Her remarkable career includes winning 10 consecutive Jamaica Women's Championships, setting a record that remains unmatched. Debunking stereotypes and breaking barriers, she emerged as the first female in the English-speaking Caribbean to attain the Woman International Master (WIM) title in chess.
Wilkinson further delved into her achievements, stating, “In 2014, she won the woman sub-zonals event in Barbados. Her achievements include multiple Olympia representations and a Woman FIDE Master title. She has truly earned the status of a living legend, making her a real deal in the world of chess.”
With over 50 players already registered, the tournament anticipates additional registrations before the fierce competition commences.
Wilkinson expressed his enthusiasm for women's chess, stating, “I find the women's games more exciting than the men games. You've got 10 women's games; chances are you’re going to have the eight victories and two draws. The women's game is more exciting; there is this traditional bias against it. So, I took it upon myself to bring more attention to women's chess both locally and internationally.”
The WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Lady's Tournament Tournament showcases various categories catering to a diverse range of players, including open sections for adult females, amateur players in different age groups, primary school, and prep school sections. The tournament features a rapid event on Saturday and an international online blitz event on Sunday, drawing interest from chess enthusiasts worldwide.
Explaining the time controls for the rapid event, Wilkinson detailed, “Each player will have 15 minutes to finish the game and five increments of five seconds per move, making it hard to lose on time and contributing to better chess. The entry fee, inclusive of lunch, is 3500 Jamaican dollars, with the Federation subsidizing the cost.”
Highlighting the international dimension of the tournament, Wilkinson shared, “The blitz event on Sunday has garnered interest from nearly 20 different countries, including Barbados, Grenada, the Cayman Islands, Saint Lucia, and even countries as far away as Africa and Europe.”
The blitz segment features games with a duration of five minutes and three-second increments per move.
The sponsors for the event include lead sponsor General Accident Insurance Company, the Magnificent Chess Foundation, the Jamaica Olympic Association, the Sports Development Foundation, and support from the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport is also backing the tournament, with hopes of having Minister Olivia Grange present at the opening ceremony.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Charles finishes with 13 wickets in the match as Red Force demolish Scorpions by an innings and 125 runs on day three at Sabina Park
Bryan Charles finished with 13 wickets in the match as the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force ended their 2024 West Indies Championship season with an innings and 125 run thrashing of the Jamaica Scorpions on day three at Sabina Park.
The Scorpions entered Friday 159-9 in their first innings, trailing the Red Force by 273 runs. The final pair of Jeavor Royal and Andrae Dennis further 30 before being bowled out in the 64th over of the innings.
The Red Force then asked the hosts to follow on before dismissing them for 118 in just 44.4 overs to complete a dominant win.
Opener Javaughn Buchanan was the only Scorpions batsman to offer any kind of resistance with a 95-ball 33 as Bryan Charles was, once again, the pick of the Red Force bowling, ripping through the Jamaican batting on his way to figures of 7-43 from 13.4 overs to finish with a match haul of 13-125.
Debutant Navin Bidaisee took 2-20 from six overs in support.
Full Scores: Trinidad & Tobago Red Force 432 all out in 122 overs (Joshua Da Silva 106, Terrance Hinds 79, Amir Jangoo 51, Kjorn Ottley 45, Khary Pierre 43, Jeavor Royal 3-113, Ojay Shields 2-61, Peat Salmon 2-83)
Jamaica Scorpions 189 all out in 63.4 overs (Kirk McKenzie 57, Jeavor Royal 46, Bryan Charles 6-82, Khary Pierre 3-57) & 118 all out in 44.4 overs (Javaughn Buchanan 33, Bryan Charles 7-43, Navin Bidaisee 2-20).
Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville eager for clash with 100 World Champion Noah Lyles at Racers Grand Prix
Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville is gearing up for an electrifying showdown against world champion Noah Lyles at the upcoming Racers Grand Prix on June 1, setting the stage for a thrilling test of readiness ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Seville, who finished fourth at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest where Lyles clinched his first 100m world title, is optimistic about his chances this season, having managed to steer clear of injury thus far. Seville's coach, Glen Mills, revealed earlier this year that an injury at a crucial stage last season hindered Seville's performance in Budapest, where he clocked 9.88 seconds, narrowly missing out on a medal.
Reflecting on his preparation for the upcoming races, Seville expressed confidence in his improved health and training regimen this season. "This year I have taken some drastic steps with regards to my injuries and injury management. I am cautious with what I'm doing so I am healthy at this point, and everything is going well," Seville explained at Tuesday's launch of the Racers Grand Prix at the Jamaica Pegasus in Kingston.
Seville's recent performances, including a 47.44-second 400m and a 20.17-second 200m, demonstrate his dedication and hard work leading into this pivotal season. "The 47.44 and the 20.17 that I ran show my dedication and hard work, so it is a possibility that I can make it onto the medal podium if things work out as planned," Seville remarked.
“Last year, I didn’t get to train the way I really wanted to but this year I got to train the way I wanted so everything is working out. I am stronger because I have got more chances training wise to do things I didn’t get the chance to do last year because of some niggles that I had.
“I had some issues with my back and stuff which caused me not to be able to lift weights as much as I could but I got it sorted out now and I am good.”
Looking ahead to the Racers Grand Prix, where he will face off against Lyles and training partner Zharnel Hughes, Seville expressed excitement about the opportunity to race against the world's best. "The last time I competed against Lyles was at the World Championship finals, so it's good to run with him before the Olympics to get a feel of what is to come," Seville emphasized.
The clash between Seville, Lyles, and Hughes at the Racers Grand Prix at the National Stadium in Kingston, promises to be a thrilling preview of what's in store for the Olympic Games in Paris, as Seville aims to secure his first global medal.
Harpy Eagles complete 212-run win over Scorpions on day four at Sabina Park
The Guyana Harpy Eagles completed a comprehensive 212-run win over the Jamaica Scorpions on day four of their sixth round West Indies Championship fixture at Sabina Park on Saturday.
The Scorpions began day four 123-2 off 43 overs needing a further 296 runs for an improbable victory.
Things started horribly for the hosts when overnight batsmen Brandon King and Kirk McKenzie fell within the first ten over of the day for 15 and 40, respectively, leaving the Scorpions 127-4 off 49.4 overs.
The rest of the wickets fell with little resistance as the Scorpions ended up being bowled out for 206 in 71.1 overs.
Gudakesh Motie and Kevin Sinclair were the top bowlers for the Harpy Eagles with identical figures of 3-32 from 16.1 and 19 overs, respectively.
Full Scores: Guyana Harpy Eagles 424 all out off 116.3 overs (Kemol Savory 155, Tevin Imlach 101*, Gudakesh Motie 56, Ojay Shields 4-103, Peat Salmon 3-117) & 147-4 off 35.3 overs (Tevin Imlach 44, Kevin Sinclair 36, Derval Green 2-39)
Jamaica Scorpions 153 all out off 61.1 overs (Brandon King 32, Ramaal Lewis 24, Veerasammy Permaul 5-55, Isai Thorne 2-19) & 206 all out off 71 overs (Kirk McKenzie 40, Javaughn Buchanan 39, Peat Salmon 30, Gudakesh Motie 3-32, Kevin Sinclair 3-32).
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