The winning Campion team (from left) Zachary Ramsay, Brian Ewbank, Phillip Pryce and Charles Ross. - CONTRIBUTED
CAMPION COLLEGE CLINCHED a record sixth National Schools Chess Championship title, with a gritty 2.5-1.5 victory over Ardenne High in the finals held at the RBTT Headquarters in New Kingston on Saturday.
As the matches got under way Campion landed the first and arguably the hardest blow of the finals when their Phillip Pryce on board 2, held his more fancied opponent, Ardenne's Brandon Wilson, to a draw. This result left the rest of the Ardenne team in a bit of a quandary, as a victory by Wilson was critical if they were to win their first national title. Despite the setback, Ardenne took the lead, when their board 3 Hakim Buchanan turned back Brian Ewbank. This result left Campion with a must-win situation on boards 1 and 4 to be assured a sixth title.
ZACH'S THE MAN
On board 1, Campion's Zachary Ramsay, who so far had less-than-convincing performances in the knockout phase, came good when it mattered, when he outlasted Andre Fraser to level the scores at 1.5 each.
It was then left to the board 4 encounter between Campion's Charles Ross and Ardenne's Amari Graham to decide the championship. Ross had the advantage over the board for most of the match, until both players descended into a time scramble.
With each player having less than 10 seconds to finish the game, Ross' greater experience came into play, as Graham buckled under pressure and watched his last few seconds run out and with it the title.
At the prize-giving ceremony that followed, Ross was declared the MVP and the best player on board 4. Awards were also presented to Lucien Rowe of Glenmuir B, and Brandon Wilson and Hakim Buchanan of Ardenne for being the best boards 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Glenmuir High won the award for being the best rural team.
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