Barbados’ Open team make light work of Bahamas at Chess Olympiad

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)