Antiguan finishes third at Chess rating tournament

Antiguan, Jerry Aska Jr. finished third at the recently held Antigua and Barbuda Chess Ratings Development tournament at the National Public Library.
Aska, who competed against nine other players, claimed the bronze medal after defeating fellow Antiguans Chester Grant and Seymore Smith in a tie breaker, making him the highest-ranking Antiguan at the FIDE sanctioned tournament.
The former St. Anthony’s Secondary student also won the New Year’s chess event.
“It was a great feeling beating some of our local guys here to secure the second runners up spot. I started playing in second form and now I am the president of the club at school, so it just shows how much I have improved.
“It was hard to adjust to playing an hour, as we usually play 15-minute periods or blitz. So, the two regional guys who FIDE sent had an advantage over us.
“My goal really is to be as great as Magnus Carlsen. He’s a youth grand master and has made a business out of chess. So, I definitely push myself to reach to that level,” said Aska.
Martinique’s Nicolas Marchal claimed the top prize of $500, as he defeated Emar Edwards of Barbados in a tie breaker.
The Easter event was sponsored by the National Public library, the Ministry of Sports and Heritage hotel.
Special commendation was also made to arbiter, Kelvin Daniel.