The Tribune

THE Bahamas Chess Olympiad team landed in Chennai, India, on July 27 to compete in the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad.

The team attended the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad Inauguration the evening of July 28 at Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.

The ceremony included stunning displays of Indian artforms and dance.

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on hand to officially welcome the players and bring remarks.

Round 1 of the tournament began on July 29. The Bahamas Open Chess Olympiad Team has a total of 4.5 points going into Round 5. Round 1 the men faced the prominent team from Latvia comprised of a Grandmaster (GM), an International Master (IM) and a FIDE Master (FM).

The Bahamas team lost all games in Round 1. In Round 2 CM Kendrick Knowles was the only team member able to secure some points, managing a draw against a Sri Lankan Fide Master (FM). Round 3 the Open Team of FM Cecil Moncur, CM Kendrick Knowles, WCM Polina Karelina and Dr Kenville Lockhart won all their games against Comoros.

Unfortunately, the team fell to Ethiopia in Round 4, losing all their games.

The Bahamas Women’s Chess Olympiad team has a total of 5.5 points going into Round 5. Round 1 the Female Team was pitted against the high-ranking Chile Women’s Team which comprised of two (2) Women Candidate Masters (WCM) and two (2) Women FIDE Masters (WFM).

The Bahamas lost all Round 1 games and all Round 2 games, where they faced up against South Korea.

In Round 3, Nelissa Thomas secured the first win for the women’s team against a Women FIDE Master from Malawi. Trinity Pinder secured a draw in Round 3 against a Malawian Women Candidate Master.

Round 4 the Women’s Team had a full sweep win with Trinity Pinder, Nelissa Thomas, WCM Daijah Johnson and Jayla Cargill all winning their games against the Central African Republic. “Team Bahamas had a rough start playing against some strong nations in the first two rounds,” said Elton Joseph, treasurer of the Bahamas Chess Federation and delegate to the The Chess Olympiad.

“Players are learning valuable lessons and the juniors are really stepping up to the plate,” he said.