Victories for both Barbados teams at Chess Olympiad

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)