The third U-16 Chess Open, sponsored by APS Bank, was held recently at St Paul's Missionary College (SPMC), Rabat.

The tournament, open to boys and girls, attracted an encouraging number of players from seven different schools.

The arbiter of the U-16 Open, which was held under the auspices of the Malta Chess Federation, was Colin Pace, 2006 Malta champion and an 'old boy' of SPMC.

Mark Cardona, from De La Salle, winner of the past two editions, and national junior champion, again confirmed his mastery at the board by winning all five rounds.

Rita Saliba, from St Catherine's High, best U-14 girl in the Junior Championships two months ago, not only won the girls' category at the SPMC Tournament but, with four points to her credit, finished third overall behind Cardona and Kevin White, of SPMC.

Fourth overall was Christian Xuereb, from St Elias College. He had three points.

Naomi Mercieca and Rubi Mercieca, both of St Catherine's High, were second and third in the girls' event.

Since White opted to accept the more prestigious trophy of tournament runner-up, the honour for first SPMC player went to Nicholas Aquilina.

Luke Saliba (St Elias College) was best player U-14, Daniel Bezzina (St Elias College) was best U-12 player and Claude Spiteri Belcher, from St Benedict College, was the top U-10 player.