Barbados’ Open team rounded off their campaign with a comfortable victory over Cameroon on the final day of the 44^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India on Tuesday.

The Bajan men won 3-1 to complete their fifth victory in 11 rounds that ensured they finished above their seeding at the beginning of the tournament.

Ranked 124^th out of 188 teams, Barbados ended in 110^th after defeating 162^nd ranked Cameroon at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre.

FIDE Master Justin Blackman registered his sixth victory by defeating International Master Marius Amba Oyon on the way to finishing with eight out of a maximum 11 points – half-point more than his performance at the 2018 Olympiad when he was also Barbados’ most outstanding player.

Olympiad first-timers Justin Parsons and Emar Edwards also rounded off with wins to complete satisfying debuts. Parsons won against Bleriot Metuno Kuete to end with six points from ten games, while Edwards prevailed over Loic Zebaze Dongmo to finish with four and a half points from ten games.

Barbados’ top rated player, International Master Orlando Husbands defaulted his game due to dental challenges that affected him for most of the tournament in which he finished with two and a half points from eight games.

For the fifth successive day, there were mixed fortunes for Barbados as the Women’s team lost 2.5-1.5 to the higher rated Monaco.

Gaybrianna Moore pulled off her third straight win against a higher rated opponent, overcoming Woman International Master Julia Lebel-Arias  to register the only victory for 111^th rated Barbados against 84^th rated Monaco.

Reigning national ladies champion Hannah Wilson, 13, played to a draw against Woman Candidate Master Svetlana Berezovska to finish with five and a half points, the most by a Barbadian female.

There were defeats for five-time national ladies champion Woman Candidate Master Katrina Blackman and Kiarra Eversley, who returned to the line-up in place of Chanon Reifer-Belle. Blackman lost to Woman International Master Martine Dubois and Eversley went under to Fiorina Berezovsky.

Blackman finished with four and a half points, Eversley four, Reifer-Belle three and a half and Moore three.

Barbados’ Women, who completed four team wins from their 11 games, placed 113^th out of 162 teams. (BCF)

Barbados’ Open team rebounded from defeat the previous day to comfortably defeat Maldives and notch their fourth victory at the 44^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India on Sunday.

The Bajan men, ranked no. 124 out of 188 teams, were no match for 153^rd ranked Maldives and won easily 3-5-0.-5 in the ninth round of games at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre.

Justin Blackman, who lost for the first time in eight games on Saturday, returned to his winning ways to defeat fellow FIDE Master Ashraf Ahmed. It was Blackman’s fifth victory of the tournament in addition to his three draws.

Justin Parsons and Emar Edwards, who have both enjoyed a good outing on their debut at this level, also registered victories. Parsons won his fourth game by defeating Mujahid Bin Yazeed while Edwards collected his third victory by overcoming Candidate Master Fuad Ahmed.

Barbados were unable to complete the clean sweep after International Master Orlando Husbands was held to a draw by FIDE Master Shuaau Muhammed.

On the Women’s boards, Barbados suffered a 3-1 defeat against the higher rated Nigeria.

Barbados’ Women, seeded at no. 111 out of 162 teams, scored a big win from Gaybrianna Moore, but were unable to gain any more points against the 68^th rated Nigeria.

Moore, returning to the line-up in place of Chanon Reifer-Belle, defeated FIDE Master Perpetual Eloho Ogbiyoyo, a player with more than 500 rating points to claim her first win in four games.

Barbados’ other women went under as Woman Candidate Master Katrina Blackman, Hannah Wilson and Kiarra Eversley lost to Emmanuella Trust Enomah, Toritsemuwa Ofowino and Iyefu Joy Onoja respectively.

In Monday’s tenth and penultimate round of games, Barbados’ Open team will face Angola who are seeded at no. 93, while the women will be up against 119^th ranked Guam. (BCF)

Barbados’ Open team made light work of The Bahamas to complete their third victory at the 44^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India on Friday.

The Bajan men brushed aside their opponents 3-5-0.5 in the seventh round of games at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre.

Barbados’ Women fought gallantly but narrowly lost to the higher rated Puerto Rico 2-5-1.5.

With the victory, Barbados’ Open team moved up in the standings to 124^th, their seeding at the beginning of the event.

They were favoured to beat The Bahamas, who are ranked 158^th out of 188 teams and they did not disappoint.

FIDE Master Justin Blackman sustained his unbeaten record, defeating Candidate Master Kendrick Knowles to complete his fourth victory of the tournament to go along with three draws.

Olympiad first-timers Emar Edwards and Justin Parsons were also in winners’ row to seal Barbados’ victory. Parsons won against Kenville Lockhart to register his third triumph in six games, while Edwards, who is well known in road tennis circles, defeated the higher rated Woman Candidate Master Polina Karelina to record his second win.

The only Barbadian to miss out on victory was top rated International Master Orlando Husbands who was forced to settle for a draw against FIDE Master Cecil Moncur.

Barbados’ Women, seeded at no. 111 out of 162 teams, put up a good fight against 86^th seeded Puerto Rico but were unable to beat their opponents.

Woman Candidate Master Katrina Blackman, Kiarra Eversley and Chanon Reifer-Belle all played to draws against higher rated players, earning a share of the spoils against Woman Candidate Master Yanira Rivera Negron, Woman FIDE Master Rinell Comas Colon and Coralys Alvarado Perez respectively.

National ladies champion Hannah Wilson, however, lost to Woman Candidate Master Keyshla Vega Jimenez.

In the eighth round of games on Saturday, Barbados’ Open team will meet Jordan, who are seeded at no. 99, while the women will face 132^nd ranked Kuwait. (BCF)

Barbados’ Open and Women’s teams registered victories on the fifth day of the 44^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India on Tuesday.

In emerging from a two-match losing streak, the Open team defeated Bermuda 3-5-0.5 while the Women’s side prevailed over Mauritius 2.5-1.5 at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre.

With both Barbados teams drawn against lower rated opposition, they ensured they did not slip up and came away with their second victory of the event.

The Open side, ranked no. 124 out of 188 teams encountered few problems in overcoming 155^th ranked Bermuda.

FIDE Master Justin Blackman kept his unbeaten run in tact to defeat Candidate Master Nick Faulks. It was Blackman’s third win of the tournament to go along with two draws.

Olympiad first-timers Emar Edwards and Justin Parsons also won by prevailing against the father and son combination of Serguei Gontcharov and Dimitri Gontcharov respectively.

The Bajans, however, were unable to complete a clean sweep of Bermuda as top rated International Master Orlando Husbands was forced to settle for a draw against Woman FIDE Master Zuzana Kovacova.

Barbados’ women, seeded at no. 111 out of 162 teams, had to fight to defeat 135^th ranked Mauritius.

Five-time ladies national champion Woman Candidate Master Katrina Blackman and reigning national ladies champion, 13-year-old Hannah Wilson competed victories, defeating Manon Josephine Berger and Aamirah Beekhy respectively. It was the second win of the tournament for both Blackman and Wilson.

Kiarra Eversley ensured victory for Barbados’ women by playing to a draw against Meritza Acham but Gaybrianna Moore lost to Chethanah Andhin. (BCF)