The Malta Junior Championships were played earlier this month at the Malta Chess Federation (MCF) premises in Ħandaq.

Fide Master Jamie Farrugia, who will be forming part of the Malta women’s team at the Chess Olympiads in September, claimed the title. The 17-year-old won three games and drew two.

In second place, level on four points with Farrugia but with an inferior Bucholtz score, 15-year old Steve Mizzi captured the U-18 title. He won three games and drew the other two.

Third-placed Matthias Gatt, 13, took home the U-16 title. Gatt was unbeaten throughout the tournament and had several close escapes to gain 3.5 points. He drew against both Farrugia and Mizzi while in the last round, he shared the spoils with Matthew Fleri.

Fleri, 11, also collected 3.5 points to finish fourth.

Five players were separated by tie-breaks after gaining three points – Matthew and Christian Conti, Isaac Muscat, Matteo Stagno and Luke Fleri.

In a statement, the MCF thanked Peter Sammut Briffa and Ron Sammut for the organisation.

Matthias Gatt, Matthew and Luke Fleri and Matteo and Milena Stagno will be participating in the European Youth Championship in Prague next month.

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