Orange Walk Olympiad Qualifying Tournament

The Orange Walk tournament to select a team for the National Olympiad was held on March 1oth. 37 players took part in this great event. Sportsmanship and respect were on display throughout the tournament and we congratulate everyone on their participation. Those who were in only their first or second tournament will surely have learned a lot and gained much from the experience. Congratulations are in order to 1st place winners Leander Campos and Michael Campos, second place went to Ayleen Perez and Ryan Chi, in third place were Cesar Orantes and Gabriel Campos.

A big thanks to tournament organizers and tournament directors including, Jason Hsu, Eric Cal, Tzung-Ting (Andy) Ko, Nair Leiva, Christian Aban, Joshua Baeza, Mr. Perez from GGPPS


A big thanks to sponsors Belize Telemedia Limited, BNYCF and Ian Anderson's Caves Branch Jungle Lodge.

Dec 17, 2011 Holiday Tournament

There was a total of 40 students participated in this tournament:
from Guinea Grass Pentacostal Primary School, Yo Creek Chess Club,
New Hope High School, and Muffles High School.

Winners of 17 and under:
1st place : Michael Campos
2nd place :Ian Escalante
3rd place: Gabriel Campos

Winners of 13 and under:
1st place: Eleazar Garrido
2nd place: Giovan Guerra
3rd place: Leander Campos

Winners of beginners section:
1st place: Rudolph Jacobs
2nd place: Yoanlies Perez
3rd place: Adonis Serrano

Apart from awarding the top 3 winners in each section with medals, there were other awards:

(a) Ginely Rosado (Guniea Grass Pentacostal School)~ best female player
(b) Ethan Narvallez (GGPS) ~ the youngest player, 7 yrs old
(c) Amie Bustillos (GGPS) ~ best effort in beginner section
(d) Daniel Lara (GGPS)~ best effort in 13 yrs old & under section
(e) Ronaldo Leiva (Muffles) ~ best effort in 17 yrs old & under
(d) Vladimir Baeza~Muffles - a medal for the best puzzle solving

On Saturday 15th October 25 chess players from Orange Walk along with Mr. Eric Cal and Mr. Abdias De Paz met at the sports complex for a day of training. The training was conducted by Mr. David Coombs and Mr. Jose Teul of the BNYCF.
At the start of the day we worked on some of the training exercises recommended by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley, we then practiced some end game methods, did some brainteasers and finally some whole games.
Orange Walk certainly have some talented players and we encourage them to keep on practicing and we are looking forward to seeing some of them on the 29th October in Belmopan.
As usual with young chess players, they are all enthusiastic, show great sportsmanship and are keen to learn more and challenge the best player.
On behalf of all the players and the BNYCF we would like to thank Mr. Eric Cal for his work and time in organising this training event, also thanks to other teachers and parents for supporting chess as a positive activity for young people.

On March 26, 2011 the Orange Walk Chess Association teamed up with teams from Corozal Chess Association to host the district qualifying tournament. 134 players were registered and came to play at a chance for the top 24 stops in each district to represent Orange Walk and Corozal.

The event was held at Muffles College in Orange Walk Town on a beautiful day. The sun was hot, but the competition was hotter. Prizes were awarded to the top 4 in each age section. Both districts compete against one another but pick their district teams accordingly.

Orange Walk’s awarded prizes to players in sections 10 years and younger, 11 to 12 years of age, 13 to 14 years, and 15-17 years old. In the 10 and under category, Luis Zavala (Yo Creek) earned first place followed by Victoria Yat (Guinea Grass) in 2^nd, Jorge Blanco (Yo Creek) in 3^rd, and Victor Noel (Yo Creek) in 4^th place. The 11 to 12 years title was won by Jose Zavala (Yo Creek), followed by Jason Russel (Guinea Grass) in 2^nd, Vieri Bustillos (Guinea Grass) in 3^rd, and Daniel Lara (Guinea Grass) in 4^th. 13-14 age section was won by Gabriel Campos (Yo Creek), with Yassir Gonzalez (Muffles) in 2^nd, Fernando Garrido (Guinea Grass) in 3^rd, and Roman Alvarez (Muffles) in 4^th place. The 15-17 age group was won by Christian Aban (Muffles), followed by Dong Xiao (Muffles) in 2^nd, Josh Baeza (Muffles) in 3^rd, and Eber Nah (New Hope) finishing in 4^th place.

Corozal awarded prizes to players in sections 8 and under, 9 to 10 years old, 11 to 12 years, 13 to 14, and 15 to 17. 8 and under section prizes were awarded to Aaron Tamay (Santa Clara), with Heizen Loria (Santa Clara) coming in 2^nd , and Jessmie Pech (Santa Clara) and Owen Martinez (San Narciso) coming in 3^rd and 4^th, respectively. The 9 to 10 year old section was won by Keiderre Loria (Santa Clara), followed by Lisandro Yascal (Santa Clara) in 2^nd, and 3^rd and 4^th place going to Christopher Perez (Santa Clara) and Zyrian Jaurez (San Narciso), respectively. The 11 and 12 year old division was won by Pedro Tamay (Santa Clara), 2^nd prize to Orvin Carillo (Louisville), 3^rd to Eyden Juarez (San Narciso), and Irene Perez (Santa Clara) coming 4^th. The 13 and 14 year old section had Hector Loria (Santa Clara) in 1^st followed by Shajir Pech (Santa Clara) in 2^nd. The champion of the 15 to 17 section was Gilberto Perez Jr. (Santa Clara), followed by Nair Leiva (CJC).

The Adult section was won by Dr. Jose Lahera of Orange Walk town. There was a strong showing by all adults and we look forward to seeing more adult participation in the near future.

24 players from each district will be selected to compete in the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation’s Olympiad in Belmopan on May 21, 2011 for prizes on a national stage. Preparation and studying will now begin to get each youth ready for the big event.

First Family Chess Day- 4 districts attended

This past Saturday the Orange Walk Chess Extravaganza took place at People’s Stadium. Over 90 participants showed up for the event that was Orange Walk district’s first large event. The morning was consumed with children playing practice games, getting chess instruction from junior coaches, completing puzzles, and creating works of art with clay and face painting. After a delicious lunch, a blitz tournament was conducted in three age groups. Blitz chess is similar to the real game but uses a chess clock to force the tempo of the game and make for faster competition. Age groups were 14 years and older, 11-13 years, and 10 years and under.

Teams travelled from Corozal, Belize, and Cayo districts to showcase some of their best players and show continued support for the emerging Orange Walk chess scene. Despite other districts having more experience playing the game, Orange Walk competitors did a great job of showing they can play with anyone around. Students from Muffles College, Guinea Grass Chess Club, Yo Creek Chess Club were in attendance as well as a few other players in Orange Walk Town.

When the smoke cleared and all was settled, champions remained. Awards were given to the top 3 in each group. In the 14 and older age group, First prize was claimed by Akeem Jenkins from Belmopan, Clifford Coleman from Cayo got second, followed by Steve Flowers from Belize City picked up the third place medal. The 11-13 age group was won by Eliazar Garrido from Guinea Grass Village. Irene Perez from Corozal district and Vierra Bustillos from Guinea Grass Village took home second and third place, respectfully. Luis Zavala from Yo Creek Village was crowned champion of the 10 and under age group. Second and third went to Keirerre Loria from Corozal and Jerardo Gonzales, respectively.

Other awards were given out for drawings, clay sculptures, and the oldest and youngest players. Prizes for the drawing competition went to Ana Anderson, Omar Pulido, and Lupita Villanueva. Clay sculpture prizes went to Miguel Rosado, Kareem Jenkins, and Amwar Tamay. The oldest player there was Phillip Aldana (47) from Corozal town, while the youngest player was Zhair Lizama (6) from Belize City.

A big special thanks goes out to all the local sponsors in Orange Walk Town who supported Orange Walk Chess helping to make the event a reality. It is our hope that chess in the Orange Walk District will only continue to grow through community support.

The event was made possible thanks to the support of the Belize National Youth Chess Foundation for supplying clocks, boards, and prizes. Peace Corps Volunteers from around the country helped to run tables and make the event a success.