13 top juniors for CAC chess tourney

Thirteen (13) talented T&T junior nationals will challenge among the region’s best at the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Chess Tournament, carded to take place from Wednesday to Sunday, in San Jose, Costa Rica.

The tournament is expected to be highley competitive with the T&T contingent, including national junior female champion and multiple CAC bronze medalist, WCM Javanna Smith and former Carifta gold and silver medalist Joshua Johnson up against competitors from Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Jamaica, Barbados, and other neighbouring countries.

T&T has been quite successful in previous years and for the past two editions, the country has brought home an average of six medals with second placed overall finishes at these same tournaments. 

The T&T contingent includes Smith, Joshnson, Mahendra Singh (national U-16 champion), Gabriella Johnson (national U-14 girls’ champion and CAC and Carifta medalist), Shannon Yearwood (CAC bronze medalist), Zurich Smith (U-14), Daniel Bhola (national U-14 runner-up), Della Marie Walcott (national U-12 champion, former Carifta and CAC gold medalist), Sean Yearwood (national U-10 champion and multiple CAC bronze medalist), Kyron Agostini (Carifta bronze medalist), WCM Shemilah James (national U-10 girls champion and CAC gold medalist), Chaya Johnson (national U-8 runner-up) and Vandoff Smith (national U-18 champion).

The contingent will be accompanied by the TTCA treasurer, Mala Agostini, as well as other delegates and parents. The TTCA president Anderson Gordon has expressed excitement about T&T’s strong prospects of success at this tournament.

​