Shergil makes chess history for Ja

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (CMC):

Rajvir Shergil created history by winning Jamaica’s first-ever medal at the FIDE ISCF World Schools Team Chess Championship.

Competing at the event, which concluded over the weekend, Shergil, representing Creative Kids Learning Academy (CKLA), finished third overall on Board Two to secure Jamaica’s maiden medal at the tournament.

He was part of the four-member CKLA team, which also included Luke Wright, Arena Chess Master Jayden Hylton, and Isabel Misir. The team finished 14th among 29 schools from 25 countries across the Americas.

Saco Oliveros de Lince of Peru won the overall competition, while Harvest Park Middle School of the United States placed second, and Crescent Heights Academy of Canada finished third.

CKLA coach Warren Elliott said he was proud of both the team and Shergil’s historic achievement.

“I’m extremely proud of these youngsters. They prepared hard and displayed true grit, playing against opposition, in some instances, much older than they are. Rajvir’s historic performance will put a smile on my face for years to come,” Elliott said.

CKLA opened the competition with a 3-1 win over Colegio Padre Agustin Valentini of El Salvador before suffering a 4-0 loss to Harvest Park Middle School.

The Jamaicans bounced back with a 3-1 victory over Unidad Educativa Salesianos Don Bosco Macas of Ecuador before drawing 2-2 with Colegio Celta Internacional of Mexico.

They then lost 3-1 to Columbus American School of Colombia before defeating the British School of Costa Rica 3-1. CKLA also played out a 2-2 draw with The Oxford School of Panama before ending the tournament with a 4-0 loss to Saint Gabriel’s School of Peru.