Sport

Richards in front at Junior Chess Champs

contributed - Brandon Wilson and Deborah Richards

UNIVERSITY OF THE West Indies student Deborah Richards has taken a slim lead after four rounds of play in the 2005 National Junior Chess Championships.

The 19-year-old Richards is the sole leader with four points. She is closely followed by defending champion Brandon Wilson and Christopher Buchanan who are both tied on 3.5 points.

Seven players are tied for fourth on three points, they include Charles Ross, Phillip-George Pryce, Michael Hayle, Brian Hanna, Mikhail Solomon, Zachary Ramsay and Hakim Buchanan.

Top-of-the-table clashes in round four on Sunday at the Holy Childhood High School, saw Richards defeating Pryce to maintain her perfect record, while Wilson and Buchanan drew their game.

The field of 35 junior players will return next Sunday, when rounds five and six, the last two, will be played. Key matches in round five include Richards versus Wilson and Buchanan versus Ross.

If Richards wins the championship, she will be the first female player to accomplish this feat.