Jamaica crowned their first‑ever CARICOM Classic Team Chess champions in a pulsating finish at Georgetown’s Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre, edging defending titlists Trinidad and Tobago by the slimmest of margins—29½ points to 29—after nine nerve‑jangling rounds.
Trinidad and Tobago carried a commanding lead into Sunday’s penultimate round, only to be ambushed 2½‑1½ by a fearless Barbadian quartet.
Emar Edwards stunned FIDE Master Joshua Johnson on top board. Women’s Candidate Master Chanon Reifer‑Belle out‑maneuvered Women’s FIDE Master Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez.
Kemp Lynch secured a gritty draw against FIDE Master Kevin Cupid.
T&T’s lone bright spot was Zara La Fleur, who overcame Leshay Springer, but the damage was done—Barbados had blown the title race wide open.
Suriname’s stalemate sets up a shoot‑out
Simultaneously, a resolute Surinamese side held Jamaica to a 2‑2 draw, leaving everything to play for in the closing round. The leaderboard tightened, tension soared, and the Pegasus ballroom braced for a final showdown worthy of a grandmaster thriller.
With destiny in their own hands, Jamaica unleashed a 3‑1 demolition of Barbados. Moments later, word filtered through that T&T had routed Guyana A 3½‑½—but the mathematics were merciless. Jamaica’s earlier half‑point cushion proved decisive, sealing a historic maiden crown for the Reggae Knights.
Final standings
| Rank | Team | Points |
| 1 | Jamaica | 29.5 |
| 2 | Trinidad & Tobago | 29.0 |
| 3 | Suriname | 25.5 |
| 4 | Barbados | 22.5 |
Sinckler leads youth charge
In the Under‑16 individual event, Barbados celebrated fresh glory as Mileke Sinckler clinched the title with 6½ points, edging compatriot Noah Clarke on tiebreak. Aaron Jaikaran completed a Bajan sweep of the podium on 6 points.
