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‘Proud’ mom not surprised at national chess champs achievement

Published:Monday | March 16, 2020 | 12:25 AM
Seven-year-old Khaleel Johnson-Bartlett (centre) is presented with his prize for emerging champion of the Under eight category at the National Age Group Chess Championship, which was held recently at the University of Technology (UTech) auditorium. Presenting Khaleel with his prize is Dr Camille Edwards-McKennis (right), chairman of the Junior Chess Committee, Jamaica Chess Federation. At left is Khaleel’s coach Adrian Palmer.
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Seven-year-old Khaleel Johnson-Bartlett (centre) is presented with his prize for emerging champion of the Under eight category at the National Age Group Chess Championship, which was held recently at the University of Technology (UTech) auditorium. Presenting Khaleel with his prize is Dr Camille Edwards-McKennis (right), chairman of the Junior Chess Committee, Jamaica Chess Federation. At left is Khaleel’s coach Adrian Palmer.

KINGSTON :

Andrea Johnson, the mother of one of Jamaica’s youngest national chess champions, Khaleel Johnson Bartlett, is not surprised at her son claiming the National Under-eight title at the National Age Group Chess Championships 2020.

Khaleel, who attends Mona Preparatory School, notched a perfect six points in the tournament which selects all national junior champions from ages eight to 18. More than 400 youngsters from over 50 institutions took part in the competition, held recently at the University of Technology Auditorium) and Johnson pointed to Khaleel’s level of participation and success in the sport.

“Khaleel started chess when he was three years old and immediately he fell in love with it. I knew he would be successful at the game because my son usually excels at everything he puts his mind to,” Johnson shared of her seven-year-old.

“When I noticed how amazing he was, I allowed him to participate in tournaments, competing with both kids his own age and also teenagers. He enjoys the competitions and also enjoys competing with his friends. To date he has won several first and second place medals and has participated in numerous championships outside Jamaica,” she informed.“I love my son dearly and I’m very proud of all he has accomplished.”

Prior to winning the national title, Khaleel warmed up with some invaluable practice and a third place finish at the Rapid Chess Tournament at Hope United Church, which is housed on the same Old Hope Road premises as his institution, Mona Prep, and had Express Canteen as one of the lead sponsors.

The support provided by Express Canteen, whose chairman is noted business executive Ryan Foster, was designed with this same goal in mind, to aid the development of talented individuals by allowing them to participate in a competitive environment. Of note is the fact that it was an Open tournament, which meant Khaleel would have benefited from playing against senior and more experienced players.

Khaleel, along with 11 other newly-crowned national champions, have all qualified to represent Jamaica at the 2020 Carifta Games, Junior PanAm Games and World Games in which Jamaica competes.

He has become the first Mona Prep student to win a national chess title in over a decade and Kamika Fullerton-Delisser, president of the Mona Prep Parent Teachers Association, lauded his achievements.

“Heartiest congratulations once again to our national Under-eight champion, Khaleel Johnson-Bartlett, who placed first from a field of 59 students from across Jamaica in the National Age Group Chess Tournament last weekend,” said Fullerton Delisser.

Other champions were: Girls – Victoria Powell (Under-eight), Victoria Salazar (Under-10), Kaia Gayle (Under-12), Amy Stephenson (Under-14), Raehanna Brown (Under-16) and Adani Clarke (Under-18); and Boys’ – Ronak Shergill (Under-10), Jaheim Stewart (Under-12), Daren McKennis (Under-14), Antonic Chung (Under-16), and Tajae Morgan (Under-18).

“Chess in Jamaica is growing at a rapid pace,” commented FIDE Master Warren Elliott, one of the chief organisers for the National Chess Federation event.