The Tribune

PHILIP Hanna Jr was crowned the 2014 Bahamas junior chess champion after going undefeated in five long rounds of tough mental struggle on August 31.

The eagerly-awaited contest pitted the country’s top under-20 chess superstars ranging in age from seven to 19, including two-time defending champion Sandeep Gali, former champion Polina Karelina, and nine-year-old candidate master Nathan Smith.

Throughout the tournament, Hanna used his trademark style of careful, positional play to build an advantage before closing out with stellar tactics and end-game technique. On his way to the championship, Hanna defeated Daijah Johnson before surviving a near-draw against Smith in round two. He then outlasted Gali in round three and closed out the tourney with wins over Ashley Gibson and Kelsie Thomas.

Finishing in second place with four points was Gali, whose only defeat came at the hands of Hanna. Gibson placed third based on tie-breaks, with a total of three points.

The 18-year-old Hanna is a Bahamas Academy graduate and now attends The College of The Bahamas.