SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, CMC – Nia Snow Clarke and Woman FIDE Master Hannah Wilson spearheaded a record-breaking performance by Barbados at the recently concluded Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Festival.
Competing in the Under-8 girls’ division, Clarke finished second on the tiebreak behind Jamaica’s Jenasiya Mais to become the youngest Barbadian to medal at an international tournament. At the same time, Wilson placed a commendable third in the Under-18 girls’ category.
Clarke, the national Under-8 female champion, rebounded from an opening round loss to El Salvador’s Ana Lucia Ruiz to record five straight wins, including over Mais in the fourth round with the black pieces.
Her run was ended when she fell to Lexa Rodeski of Puerto Rico in the sixth round. Still, she bounced back to defeat the Jamaican pair of Kelani Crosdale and Rhia Garcia in the final two rounds to end on seven points from nine rounds.
Mais also suffered another defeat, and despite finishing on seven points, she was declared the winner under the tiebreak system.
Rodeski was a close third after finishing on 6.5 points.
Meanwhile, Wilson, who came into the tournament as the third seed, got off to a perfect start by winning her first three matches.
However, she hit a stumbling block in the fourth and fifth rounds, losing to Guatemala’s second-seeded Woman Candidate Master Fiorella Garcia Medina and top-seeded Layla Caicedo of Panama, respectively.
Wilson then drew with Jamaican Woman Candidate Master Gabriella Watson and Ester Pena Payan of Dominica in the next two rounds, before closing out the tournament with victories over Kiara Vazquez Otero of Puerto Rico and fellow Barbadian Leshay Springer to finish on six points.
Medina grabbed the gold medal after ending on eight points, with Caicedo second on 6.5 points. Barbados’ Woman Candidate Master, Chanon Reifer-Belle, also did well, finishing fifth in the Under-16 girls’ division.
In the blitz showcase component, Barbados also gave outstanding performances with Amari Blackman, Noah Clarke, Reifer-Belle, Charis Stuart, and Wilson being awarded for their efforts.
Barbados’ head of delegation, Hetty Wilson, praised the team’s historic performance. “This is a moment of national celebration for Barbados chess.
“Our athletes competed against some of the sharpest minds and highest-rated young players in the region and have proven themselves more than capable,” Wilson said.
“The level of competition at these games is extremely high, yet our young athletes displayed their personal best and gained substantial FIDE ratings in the process. Our team has truly delivered with courage, preparation, and heart, and we are immensely proud of their achievements.”
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