Polina Defeats Nelissa To Become Youngest Scholastic Chess Champ

The Annual Scholastic Individual Chess Championship was held on Saturday 13th March.  The format was a 4 round Swiss and restricted to school age children.  This year the tournament hosted 40 players in four age categories - U16, U14, U12 and U10.
Organisers expected an exciting event as most of the top rated Scholastic Chess players had registered including the top seeded player and 2009 Scholastic Individual Champion, Akini Morris of Nassau Christian Academy.
After four rounds of chess play the winners of the various age categories were as follows and a new champion was crowned:
U16 - Acheleus Pennerman (GHS)
U14 - Nelissa Thomas (Q.C.)
U12 - Sandeep Gali (St. John's College)
U10 - Polina Major  (Q.C.)
New Individual Scholastic Champion
After four rounds of chess play, there was a tie for the title of Individual Scholastic Chess Champion.  Both of the tournament leaders, Nelissa Thomas and Polina Major had earned 4 points from 4 games. 

The 2009 Champion, Akini Morris, had to settle for a surprising 11th place overall with 2 ½ points from 4 games. 
On their way to the top, Nelissa played and defeated Roger De Souza, Clifton Bowe, Archelus Pennerman and Travis Miller to earn her 4 points while Polina won against Da'antez Knowles, Mickyle Cooper, Sandeep Gali and Gary Black to earn her place tied for first place.  As a result of this tie, both Nelissa and Polina had to play a tie- break.
Eight year-old Polina won the tie-break and was crowned the U10 and Individual Scholastic Chess Champion for 2010.  Polina made Bahamas Chess History by being the youngest player to win the Championship. 
Although Polina is only 8 years old she is not a stranger to The Bahamas Chess playing community. 
In fact, Polina played in the historic Chess Simultaneous hosted by GM David Norwood last month.  Also, she along with Sophia Millar played in the U8 Girls Section of The World Youth Chess Championship held in Turkey November, 2009.
The results of players like Polina, Nelissa and Aaron against players who were 2 - 7 years their senior shows that chess provides many opportunities for children of various ages to socialize, compete, and have fun together.  The Bahamas Chess Federation would like to thank the Tournament Director.

    Standings after 4th and final round
1. Nelissa Thomas (Q.C.) - 4
    Polina Major (Q.C.) - 4
3. Aaron Rollins(Q.C.) - 3 ½ 
    Travis Miller (GHS) - 3
    Gary Black (GHS) - 3
    Ricardo Knowles (Anatol Rodgers) - 3
    David Roberts (Kingsway)- 3
    Archelaus Pennerman (GHS) - 3
    Sandeep Gali (St. John's) - 3
    Aston Hanna - 3