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Our Staff
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Founder and President
Geoffrey Byfield, the founder and president of the Liguanea Chess Club, holds the esteemed title of National Chess Master and boasts seven victories in the Jamaica Open Chess Championships. In addition to that, National Master Byfield is a FIDE certified coach
who is committed to the development of chess across Jamaica. He has had success in his academic pursuits including his first degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of the West Indies (UWI) and Law from the University of Technology (Utech). Additionally, he holds a postgraduate diploma in management from UWI. Recognized for his academic excellence, Byfield was honored as the Student of the Year at CAST (now Utech) in 1981. Over the past 28 years, he has dedicated his expertise to teaching chess.
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Staff Supervisor
Carol Reid excels as our specialist in working with young children, showcasing her expertise at Emmanuel Christian Academy, where chess has been a part of the curriculum for the past seventeen years. Mrs. Reid is also a FIDE certified coach who has proven highly effective in engaging even the youngest learners, including those in kindergarten. Beyond her instructional role, she also serves as the administrator of the club. Mrs. Reid has been a dedicated member of the Liguanea Chess Club for the past 2 decades, contributing significantly to its success.
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Chess Teacher/Administrator
Tassia Lewis, serving as a Chess Teacher/Administrator, brings a wealth of qualifications to her role. She holds an associate degree in Hospitality, Entertainment, and Tourism, complemented by an NCTVET certificate in food preparation. Ms. Lewis has been an integral part of the Liguanea Chess Club for the past seven years, contributing her skills and expertise to the chess community.
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Chess Coach
DeMario Nash is a seasoned veteran of the game of chess and is currently a coach at the Liguanea Chess club. In his tenure as a coach he has amassed a plethora of success in producing today’s talents both in the corporate and rural area. Coach Nash can be described as a pragmatic, reliable, and dedicated individual who is committed to developing future players for tomorrow. Apart from his coaching, De Mario Nash is also a recognized sportsman who has won titles such as President Invitational Winner (2020), Runner-Up for the Frederick Cameron Open (2018) and the National Rapid Championship (2017). He is a positional master who has collected several accolades over the years with a peak FIDE rating of 1918 and current JCF rating of 2143.
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Coach in Training
Jamal Hutchinson is a trainee chess instructor who is focused on helping students understand the the game to the best of their abilities. He believes that chess is not about the memorization of moves but the calculating and decision making that will impact the end result. That is his mantra both for the game and life.
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Coach in Training
Danniela Ferguson is a currently a coach in training at the Liguanea Chess Club and has develop an immense passion for the game . Her goal is to teach students step by step , making sure they feel supported on and off the board.She aims to create an environment where students feel challenged. excited and motivated to improve.