KENDRICK KNOWLES, president of the BCF, presents champion NM Valentino Cox with his huge trophy.

As of Thursday, January 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

KENDRICK KNOWLES, president of the BCF, presents CM Byron Smith with his prize.

FM CECIL MONCUR, third place finisher, gets his prize from BCF president Kendrick Knowles.

KENDRICK KNOWLES, president of the BCF, presents Avian Price with his fourth place prize.

#NM Valentine Cox dominated the 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship, winning the prestigious event with an impressive 8 out of 9 points.

#The only player to beat NM Cox was FM Cecil Moncur in Round 9. NM Cox won his first Bahamas National Chess Championship 47 years ago in 1975.

#He went on to win the title again in 2002 and 2015 according to The Bahamas Chess Federation’s (BCF) records.

#The 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship took place over two full weekends kicking off Friday, 13 January and ending on Sunday 22 January.

#This year the tournament, which was sponsored by Colina, was held at the J. Whitney Pinder Building on Collins Avenue.

#The event was an exciting one filled with several shocking defeats. Young Avian Pride beat FM Cecil Moncur in Round 3. Trevor Bridgewater pulled off an upset in Round 9 beating CM Kendrick Knowles.

#The event was also an historic one as it was the first Bahamas chess tournament to be livestreamed. The BCF secured electronic chess boards and chess clocks made by Digital Game Technology (DGT).

#DGT tournament boards are used at Chess Olympiads, World Chess Championships and all major chess tournaments around the world to show the games live as they happen.

#“I would like to thank Colina for their sponsorship of the 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship. I would also like to applaud all the players for participating in this historic tournament and congratulations to the winners,” exclaimed Curtis Pride, 2ndVice President, the Bahamas Chess Federation.

#“We encourage you all to continue to participate in BCF tournaments this year and support The Bahamas Chess Federation. The Bahamas Chess Federation is committed to giving all chess players in The Bahamas exposure and opportunities to travel regionally and internationally to improve your ratings and gain titles and IM ratings.”

#Kendrick Knowles, president of the BCF, was also pleased with what he saw.

#“I am proud that we were able to secure the DGT digital boards and livestream these games,” Knowles said. “We had persons watching from all over the world including Norway, Jamaica and Switzerland.

#“This is a huge accomplishment and allows us to attract more attention to Bahamian chess tournaments and our players.”

#The 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championships was a FIDE rated tournament; set up as a 9 round Swiss format with Game in 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move.

#Chief Arbiter for the 2023 Championship was International Arbiter (IA), Andre White. Mr. White was assisted by Deputy Chief Arbiter, Angel Pride.

#Here’s a look at the top ten finishers:

#1- NM Valentine Cox – 8 points.

#2 – CM Byron Smith – 7.5 points.

#3 – FM Cecil Moncur – 6.5 points.

#4 – Avian Pride – 5.5 points.

#5 – CM Kendrick Knowles – 4.5 points.

#6 – Kenville Lockhart – 4 points.

#7 – Curtis Pride – 3 points.

#8 – Noah Albury – 2.5 points.

#9 – Trevor Bridgewater – 2 points.

#10 – Shawn Barker – 1.5 points.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/26/nm-valentine-cox-dominates-bahamas-national-chess-/?news

As of Thursday, January 26, 2023

• Sign in to favorite this
• DiscussComment, Blog about
• Share thisEmail, Facebook, Twitter

#BAHAMAS Hope Challenge (BHC) returns to Eleuthera from 10 to 12 March for its annual fundraiser with the goal of adding to the more than $4 million it has raised toward fighting cancer in The Bahamas over the past 17 years.

#When it was formed in 2006, BHC set out on a mission to raise hope and resources to help Bahamians in their fight against cancer.

#The organisation enlists ordinary people from all walks of life to make this happen. Each spring, benefactors gather on the beautiful island of Eleuthera to cycle, run, or walk distances of their own choosing. At the same time, they raise funds from friends and family for the cause.

#Eleuthera’s Queen’s Highway, with its rolling elevations and breathtaking vistas to the sea, lends itself perfectly to the event. More than 4,200 participants have traversed the highway as part of BHC to add to the funds raised.

#“Every year, every dollar they raise goes to programmes,” said Susan Larson, BHC’s executive director. “BHC is very proud of this charitable gold standard it has maintained.

#“Participating in the annual Bahamas Hope Challenge is a meaningful way to make travel matter. Participation provides travelers with the opportunity to visit Eleuthera – a stunning destination in its own right – while also offering the opportunity to make a real contribution to The Bahamas, to Bahamians fighting cancer.”

#Larson said more travelers want to make contributions to the places they visit, as pointed out by publications quoting Merrill Lynch wealth managers and Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s Travel Guides. She added that Frommer revealed that many travelers want to leave a destination better off than they met it.

#“There are many ways to do this, but certainly, none is as compelling as helping to save lives,” Larson said.

#Individuals or groups interested in participating in BHC should visit bahamashopechallenge.com and follow the registration process.

#Members of teams do not have to participate in the same way. One or some of them may run while others cycle or walk. There is a fundraising minimum of $500 per person. The minimum also applies to all individuals on teams.

http://www.tribune242.com/news/2023/jan/26/bahamas-hope-challenge-returns-march/?news

 Home|Sports|Street Legends to honor fallen coachSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 26, 2023 141 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Street Legends Organization will stage a memorial basketball tournament for the late Bertram McPhee on Saturday, January 28 at the Shirley Street Basketball Park.

McPhee, who was killed in October 2022, is a former coach and contributor to the Street Legends Organization, and the organization is taking this time to honor him. The tournament will run from 3-8 p.m. in the Kemp Road area in the Freetown constituency and it is being dubbed the Bertram McPhee Memorial Basketball Tournament.

Remarks during the opening ceremony will be brought by Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe, the member of Parliament for Freetown, former member of Parliament for Freetown and former Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar, and former member of Parliament for Freetown and attorney-at-law and partner with McKinney, Bancroft & Hughes Richard Lightbourn.

Street Legends Founder and President Wilton Russell said McPhee was consistently present at Street Legends tournaments and activities.

“Where you would see me, you would see him. He would be right there, so we thought it would only be fitting to honor him in some way,” said Russell. “He was a special contributor. We are going to give his family a memorial basketball to symbolize the work that he has done for us in bridging the gap. That is the concept that this organization always preach about it, and he was a huge part of that. It’s all about preaching peace and love and Bertram bought into that. We are certainly going to miss him. His death is a hard pill to swallow for us. It leaves a huge void in the organization. All we could do now is recognize and honor him, and celebrate his life.”

McPhee coached the Free Town Wringers team in Street Legends tournaments and was a part of the organization for 12 years.

This Saturday, four age divisions will be contested at the tournament – 8-11, 12-15, 16-19 and open. Interested teams can send an e-mail to the address streetlegends@gmail.com or call the telephone number (242) 376-5712.

https://thenassauguardian.com/street-legends-to-honor-fallen-coach/

 Home|Sports|Mingoes pick up two wins at DTSP Wolfpack meetSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 26, 2023 180 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The University of the Bahamas (UB) Mingoes track and field squad picked up two wins to go along with other strong finishes at DTSP Wolfpack’s Neville Wisdom Classic at the Thomas A. Robison National Stadium on Saturday.

Kenold Jean won the open men’s 3,000 meters (m) and Lhevinne Joseph won the open men’s 800m event. Jaidyn Brown had a top-three finish in the open men’s high jump.

UB Head Coach Ednal Rolle said he was pleased with the team’s performance in only their second meet of the year.

“It was a great performance from the team,” he said. “I had four Mingoes with season’s best performances, so I’m excited as this is only the second meet of the season. We are steadily improving as I expected and I’m looking for a great season going forward.”

Jean started the Mingoes off with a solid win in the open men’s 3,000m event. Jean won the event in 10:40.74. Nathan Johnson of the Hurry Murray Track and Field Club 

finished second in 10:46.09.

Middle-distance specialist Joseph won the open men’s 800m event in 1:56.16 – a second and a half ahead of his nearest competitor. Kenzie Knowles, of Swift Athletics, finished second in 1:57.66. Jackson Ozias finished fourth for the Mingoes in 2:05.61. Joseph never trailed after the 100m mark in the race.

“I felt really good out there for the first 800m event of the season for me,” said Joseph. “The whole goal of the race was to take the first 400 comfortable and then make the whole race as comfortable as possible. I wanted to get there (to the first 400m) in 57 seconds and then bring it back. This was my third best time of all time and that’s a good time to have in only my second meet of the season. I’m 

hoping to get to a 1:52 by the end of the season.”

Brown finished third in the open high jump, clearing 1.80m (5’ 10-3/4”). Brown easily cleared 1.75m (5’ 9-1/2”) but had two knockdowns at 1.80m before going over on his third attempt. He had three knockdowns at 1.85m (6’ 1”).

Brianique Strachan finished fourth in the open women’s 100m event in a time of 12.53 seconds. Tamara Myers, of Leap of Faith, won the event in 12.16 seconds.

In the open women’s 800m, Lakeicia Lewis finished fourth in 2:35.21 and Fridline Augustin was sixth in 2:40.69.

Dennis Williamson took fifth in the open men’s 200m in 22.84 seconds. Jeremiah Adderley, from DTSP Wolfpack, won the event in 21.89 seconds.

https://thenassauguardian.com/mingoes-pick-up-two-wins-at-dtsp-wolfpack-meet/

 Home|Sports|Chickcharney Challenge set for SaturdaySports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJanuary 26, 2023 441 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The long-awaited return of the Chichkcharney Challenge, dubbed ‘The Return’, happens this Saturday after it was initially postponed from December 3, 2022.

The event, which is an obstacle course race, will be held at Clifton Heritage Park. This will be the seventh edition of the event. It features a three-mile course with 16 obstacles set to test participants’ endurance and strength.

The elite start is at 6.30 a.m. and a non-elite staggered start gets underway at 6.45 a.m.

The race usually features dedicated fitness enthusiasts, but it also appeals to persons who are looking to have fun. It usually attracts about 100 participants. Chickcharney Chirren Chief 

Executive Officer (CEO) Chester Robards is expecting that number to be doubled this weekend.

“People who have done the challenge before know the route and so this year we are changing the location of the starting line so that this time around we will be on the beach. That’s something new and a nice change which will give a really different feel to the event. We are also adding new obstacles that people have not seen before,” said Robards.

They are introducing a new timing system at this Saturday’s event.

“In previous years, there would simply be a clock running and whenever a participant crossed the finish line we would mark their time. We are aiming for greater accuracy this year with an NFC (Near Field Communication) race timing system and we will also be staggering the starts to ensure proper crowd control,” Robards said.

Obstacle course racing is one of the fastest growing segments in endurance sports globally. An official governing body – the International Obstacle Racing Federation (IORF) – was established nearly a decade ago to legitimize efforts to have obstacle course racing become an Olympic sport. Robards said that when that becomes a reality, he hopes to someday see a Chickcharney participant competing in the Olympics.

The event is being held in partnership with Clifton Heritage, with Colina Insurance as the lead sponsor. The cost to participate in the challenge is $70 for adults and $50 for persons under the age of 17. For groups of four or more participants, the cost is $65 per person and groups with participants ages 17 and under, the cost to participate is $45 per person. To register for the Chickcharney Challenge, interested persons are asked to go to the website https://www.chickcharneychirren.com.

The last Chickcharney Challenge was held in Downtown Nassau in July 2019 and was dubbed ‘We Run This City’.

https://thenassauguardian.com/chickcharney-challenge-set-for-saturday/

 Home|Sports|Hield, Pacers end dreadful losing streakSports

Simba FrenchSend an emailJanuary 26, 2023 277 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

He’s known for his offensive prowess, but Bahamian National Basketball Association (NBA) player Chavano ‘Buddy’ Hield came through on the defensive end on Tuesday, recording four steals and three blocked shots in 39 minutes on the floor to help the Indiana Pacers come back from 21 points down to beat the Chicago Bulls, 116-110.

Playing on their home court at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Pacers got a much-needed victory, ending their longest losing streak of the season at seven games. Hield’s blocked shots tied a career-high and both steals and blocks were significantly higher than his season averages of one steal per game and 0.3 blocked shots per game.

The win has the Pacers sporting a 24-25 win/loss record on the season and they sit in ninth in the Eastern Conference of the NBA. As mentioned, the win also snapped a seven-game losing streak for the Pacers.

Pacers starting shooting guard Hield was still productive as his usual self on the offensive side of the ball, finishing with 19 points on 5-for-14 shooting from the field. Four of those five made field goals came from beyond the three-point line. He also had five rebounds and four assists in this matchup.

It was not a pretty beginning for the Pacers as they went down by as many as 21 points in the first half, but it was the 11th time this season they came back from a double-digit deficit. In fact, this was their second time coming back after being down by 20 or more points.

The Bulls got off to a strong start on the offensive side of the ball, jumping out to an 8-0 lead at the start of the game. The Pacers’ T.J. McConnell connected on a layup at the 9:30 mark that stopped that run. Hield’s first made shot of the game, a three-pointer, cut the Bulls’ lead to 18-5 with 7:24 left in the first quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Bulls led 33-21 after leading by as many as 16 points in that quarter.

The Bulls held their largest lead of 21 points at 62-41 on an Ayo Dosunmu made free throw with 1:40 left in the first half. The Bulls completely controlled the first half as the Pacers never led and the Bulls went into the half with a 62-46 lead.

The Pacers played much better in the third quarter as they managed to outscore the Bulls, 34-25. Hield and his team were able to get the deficit down to single digits at the end of the third quarter, 87-80.

The Pacers continued to fight in the final period and got their first lead of the game when McConnell made a layup at the 4:27 mark to give them a 102-100 lead. After the score was tied at 106 with 1:59 left, Hield blocked Zach LaVine’s shot.

After going up 112-110 with 9.2 seconds left, Hield got his fourth and final steal of the night. Aaron Nesmith’s two made free throws put the Pacers up 114-110. Hield calmly sank two insurance free throws with seven seconds remaining in the game.

The Pacers played the back half of a back-to-back against the Orlando Magic last night but the result was unavailable up to press time. Their next chance to step on the court will be against the Milwaukee Bucks on their home court on Friday. That game tips off at 7 p.m.

https://thenassauguardian.com/hield-pacers-end-dreadful-losing-streak/

 Home|Sports|Atlantis Basketball League set to return to actionSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 27, 2023 88 1 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The Atlantis Basketball League is back, set to begin on Monday, February 6, 2023, under the theme, “A League of Our Own”, at the Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Cole Park, formerly Malcolm Park, near the Sir Sydney Poitier Bridge on Bay Street.

League action, which will feature 12 teams this year, will commence at 6:30 p.m. on February 6. There will be an opening ceremony at the park before the first game and the public is invited to attend.

All games are open to the public for the entire season which ends April 28, 2023. Games will be held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 p.m. for the first game each night and 9:30 p.m. for the final game of the evening.

The league features a number of established and up-and-coming basketball stars who are ready to display their skills and go all out for a chance to bring home the championship trophy and to have bragging rights.

Entered in league action this year are the Cove Impalas, the Royal Towers Sharks, the Dolphin Cay Assassins, the Water Park Predators, the Banquet Bombers, the Casino Aces, the Water Park Warriors, the ISD Lions, the Room Service Grave Diggers, the Surveillance Eagles, the Cascade Ballers and the Housekeeping Pitbulls.

The season is expected to be a tough one that will climax with what is expected to be a thrilling championship.

https://thenassauguardian.com/atlantis-basketball-league-set-to-return-to-action/

 Home|Sports|Mingoes men’s squad eliminated from Hummel CupSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 27, 2023 99 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s soccer side was knocked out of the Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Hummel Cup competition after losing to the Dynamos, 5-4, in penalty kicks after the match ended in a 5-5 tie.

The match was an important one for the Mingoes as Dynamos handed the team its last loss of 2022, and they were looking for a little payback.

The Dynamos started the match off quickly, scoring in the 10th and 18th minutes of the game.

Mingoes midfielder Ronaldo Green responded with a brilliant goal in the 26th minute, then another score in the 33rd minute to tie the match at 2-2.

In the 42nd minute, midfielder Nathan Wells scored off a spectacular bending corner to put the Mingoes up 3-2. Three minutes later, and just before the break, Collins Ngigi scored his first goal of the season, putting the Mingoes up 4-2 to end the half.

Coming out of the half, the Dynamos responded fast with goals in the 47th, 54th and 58th minutes to take a 5-4 lead.

In the 65th minute, Green was tackled in the box and received a penalty kick attempt. He scored to tie the match at 5-5 where it would end and go to penalty kicks.

Green was sent out first for the Mingoes and surprisingly missed. That was the only miss in the penalty round for either squad.

The Dynamos took the match 5-4 in penalties and advanced to the next round of the Hummel Cup.

Mingoes Head Coach Dion Godet said the team had several opportunities to put the match away and win it in regulation but fell short.

“We allowed the game to go into penalty kicks and I say allow because we had a lot of opportunities on offense tonight,” he said. “The Dynamos had a lot of opportunities as well and it was a very entertaining game. Congrats to the Dynamos who moved on. Tonight, we simply didn’t finish all of our 

opportunities and we had a couple of defensive breakdowns.”

Godet said the match sets a tone for the rest of the regular season.

“It was our first game back after the break and I saw some positive stuff from the guys,” he said. “Hopefully, we get better and build on that and get back on a winning streak in very short order.”

The Hummel Cup is a tournament that starts in the middle of the season and seedings are based on league standings at the Christmas break. The tournament essentially runs at the same time as the regular season and has its own trophy.

The Mingoes next play the Renegades in regular season action Sunday, February 5 at the Roscow A.L. Davies Field. 

https://thenassauguardian.com/mingoes-mens-squad-eliminated-from-hummel-cup/

 Home|Sports|Mingoes men’s squad eliminated from Hummel CupSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 27, 2023 99 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

The University of The Bahamas (UB) Mingoes men’s soccer side was knocked out of the Bahamas Football Association’s (BFA) Hummel Cup competition after losing to the Dynamos, 5-4, in penalty kicks after the match ended in a 5-5 tie.

The match was an important one for the Mingoes as Dynamos handed the team its last loss of 2022, and they were looking for a little payback.

The Dynamos started the match off quickly, scoring in the 10th and 18th minutes of the game.

Mingoes midfielder Ronaldo Green responded with a brilliant goal in the 26th minute, then another score in the 33rd minute to tie the match at 2-2.

In the 42nd minute, midfielder Nathan Wells scored off a spectacular bending corner to put the Mingoes up 3-2. Three minutes later, and just before the break, Collins Ngigi scored his first goal of the season, putting the Mingoes up 4-2 to end the half.

Coming out of the half, the Dynamos responded fast with goals in the 47th, 54th and 58th minutes to take a 5-4 lead.

In the 65th minute, Green was tackled in the box and received a penalty kick attempt. He scored to tie the match at 5-5 where it would end and go to penalty kicks.

Green was sent out first for the Mingoes and surprisingly missed. That was the only miss in the penalty round for either squad.

The Dynamos took the match 5-4 in penalties and advanced to the next round of the Hummel Cup.

Mingoes Head Coach Dion Godet said the team had several opportunities to put the match away and win it in regulation but fell short.

“We allowed the game to go into penalty kicks and I say allow because we had a lot of opportunities on offense tonight,” he said. “The Dynamos had a lot of opportunities as well and it was a very entertaining game. Congrats to the Dynamos who moved on. Tonight, we simply didn’t finish all of our 

opportunities and we had a couple of defensive breakdowns.”

Godet said the match sets a tone for the rest of the regular season.

“It was our first game back after the break and I saw some positive stuff from the guys,” he said. “Hopefully, we get better and build on that and get back on a winning streak in very short order.”

The Hummel Cup is a tournament that starts in the middle of the season and seedings are based on league standings at the Christmas break. The tournament essentially runs at the same time as the regular season and has its own trophy.

The Mingoes next play the Renegades in regular season action Sunday, February 5 at the Roscow A.L. Davies Field. 

https://thenassauguardian.com/mingoes-mens-squad-eliminated-from-hummel-cup/

 Home|Sports|Cox wins BCF national titleSports

The Nassau GuardianSend an emailJanuary 27, 2023 95 2 minute readFacebookTwitterLinkedInShare via Email

National Master (NM) Valentine Cox dominated the 2023 Bahamas Chess Federation’s (BCF) National Chess Championship, winning the prestigious event with an impressive eight out of nine points. The only player to beat NM Cox was FIDE Master (FM) Cecil Moncur in Round 9. NM Cox won his first national chess championship 47 years ago, in 1975. He went on to win the title again in 2002 and 2015 according to BCF records.

The 2023 BCF National Chess Championship took place over two full weekends, starting on Friday January 13 January and 

culminating on Sunday January 22. This year, the tournament, which was sponsored by Colina, was held at the J. Whitney Pinder Building on Collins Avenue.

The 2023 BCF National Chess Championship was said to be exciting, filled with several shocking defeats. Young Avian Pride beat FM Cecil Moncur in Round 3 and Trevor Bridgewater pulled off an upset in Round 9, beating Candidate Master (CM) Kendrick Knowles. The 2023 BCF National Chess Championship was also a historic one as it was the first local chess tournament ever live streamed. The BCF secured electronic chess boards and chess clocks made by Digital Game Technology (DGT). DGT tournament boards are used at Chess Olympiads, world chess championships and all major chess tournaments around the world to show the games live as they happen.

“I would like to thank Colina for their sponsorship of the 2023 Bahamas National Chess Championship. I would also like to applaud all the players for participating in this historic tournament and congratulations to the winners,” exclaimed BCF 2nd Vice President Curtis Pride. “We encourage you all to continue to participate in BCF tournaments this year and support the Bahamas Chess Federation. The Bahamas Chess Federation is committed to giving all chess players in The Bahamas exposure and opportunities to travel regionally and internationally to improve your ratings and gain titles and ratings.”

BCF President CM Kendrick Knowles said: “I am proud that we were able to secure the DGT digital boards and live stream these games. We had persons watching from all over the world, including Norway, Jamaica and Switzerland. This is a huge accomplishment and it allows us to attract more attention to Bahamian chess tournaments and our players.”

The 2023 BCF National Chess Championship was a FIDE rated tournament, set up in a nine-round Swiss format with game in 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move. Chief Arbiter for the championship was International Arbiter (IA) Andre White. White was assisted by Deputy Chief Arbiter Angel Pride.

Finishing second behind NM Cox was CM Byron Small with 7.5 points. Finishing third was Moncur with 6.5 points, and coming in fourth was Avian Pride with 5.5 points.

https://thenassauguardian.com/cox-wins-bcf-national-title/