FIDE Master
Malaku Lorne
“Ras” Malaku Lorne, Coach Mala to his students, is one of Jamaica's strongest players of the last two decades: five Chess Olympiads for Jamaica, the FIDE Master title and a lifetime at the board. Now he is building the next generation.
- Has represented Jamaica at the Chess Olympiad 5 times
- FIDE Master, and 2016 Chess Sportsman of the Year
- Experienced chess coach
- Passionate about helping young minds grow through chess
From the Olympiad to Saturday mornings
Born in St. Andrew, Malaku Lorne first played for Jamaica at the 2004 Olympiad in Calvià, Spain. Ten years later he was back on the team, and he went on to play the Olympiad again in 2016, 2018 and 2022.
In 2016 he scored 7 points from 9 at the Sub-Zonal in Barbados to earn the FIDE Master title, only the eighth Jamaican to hold it at the time, and the RJR Sports Foundation named him Chess Sportsman of the Year. The Jamaica Chess Federation's president called him “one of Jamaica's best chess players over the past decade.”
ChessWhiz Kids Academy is how he passes it on: patient lessons, real games and a lot of encouragement, every Saturday.
Four things we never skip
Fun first
Every child welcome
Respect
Think big
A career at the board
Highlights from public records of FM Malaku Lorne's chess career.
- 2004
36th Chess Olympiad, Calvià
His first time representing Jamaica at the Chess Olympiad.
- 2012
National Blitz Champion
Shared the National Blitz Championship title.
- 2014
41st Chess Olympiad, Tromsø
A return to the Olympiad, ten years after his first.
- 2015
Millionaire Chess qualifier
Won the Jamaican qualifier and went on to play the Millionaire Chess Open in Las Vegas.
- 2016
Chess Sportsman of the Year
Named Chess Sportsman of the Year at the RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards.
- 2016
FIDE Master
7 points from 9 at the Sub-Zonal in Barbados earned the FIDE Master title, only the eighth Jamaican to hold it at the time.
- 2016
42nd Chess Olympiad, Baku
Back on the Olympiad stage for Jamaica.
- 2017
Zonal Championship, El Salvador
Played the Zonal, a step in the World Championship cycle, against players from across the Americas.
- 2018
43rd Chess Olympiad, Batumi
A fourth Olympiad in Jamaica's colours, the year his FIDE rating peaked at 2176.
- 2019
Fesco Manchester Chess Open
Winner of the very first Fesco Manchester Chess Open.
- 2022
44th Chess Olympiad, Chennai
His fifth Olympiad for Jamaica, playing against the best national teams in the world.
Strategy. Friendship. Confidence.
StrategyFriendshipConfidence