Wilson, Eversley help Barbados women draw at Chess Olympiad

National ladies champion Hannah Wilson and Kiarra Eversley pulled off upset victories against higher rated opponents to earn Barbados’ women a draw against Botswana on the sixth day of the 44^th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India on Wednesday.

The 13-year-old Wilson, who was crowned as the youngest Barbados ladies national champion in April, defeated Woman FIDE Master Naledi Marape while Eversley won against Woman Candidate Master Natalie Katlo Banda at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre.

Their efforts helped Barbados’ Women, who are seeded at no. 111 out of 162 teams, play to a 2-2 draw against 88^th ranked Botswana.

It was Wilson’s third victory in five games while Eversley scored her second win.

Barbados’ two other players, Woman Candidate Master Katrina Blackman and Chanon Reifer-Belle suffered defeats, losing to Woman FIDE Master Masaiti Besa and Woman Candidate Master Arona Moshoboro respectively.

While Barbados’ women were able to earn a share of the points, the Open team crashed to a 3.5-0.5 defeat against the higher rated Zimbabwe.

FIDE Master Justin Blackman maintained his unbeaten run and for the third time in the tournament helped Barbados avoid a clean sweep of the boards.

Blackman, playing on Board 1 in the absence of Barbados’ highest rated player, Orlando Husbands, earned to a draw against the higher rated International Master Rodwell Makoto to move his record for the tournament to three wins and three draws.

Barbados’ Open team, ranked no. 124 out of 188 sides, however, came out on the losing end against the 94^th ranked Zimbabwe as Emar Edwards went under to Spencer Masango, Justin Parsons lost to Jemusse Zhemba and Adam Roachford was defeated by Roy Mwadzura.

The Olympiad moves into its seventh round of games on Friday after Thursday’s rest day.

In the seventh round, Barbados’ Open team will face The Bahamas, who are seeded at no. 158, while the women will be up against 86^th ranked Puerto Rico. (BCF)