Team Bahamas was able to hold off Nicaragua in the final round of the Olympiad and secure a trilling match draw.  Their board 2 player failed to show up for the match, giving Elton an easy win by default and putting The Bahamas in perfect position for an upset.

After Kendrick's loss on board 2, it was left to Valentine and Carver to hold their own.  Four hours later, both battles were neck-and-neck, and it looked like the match might actually go the distance.  Carver's game against the 2156-rated International Master ended first, placing the team within 1/2 point of a drawn match.  But could Valentine work his endgame magic against a 2200-rated player?  Indeed, he could.  In a dead-drawn position, both players agreed on move 54 to share the point and draw the match. 

What an incredible journey this has been.  The closing ceremony is tonight, and depending on the final tie-breaks, The Bahamas may be awarded a prize in the E category.  Our flights leave very early in the morning, so there may be no further updates until Saturday, August 16.

As always, the results can be found on http://chess-results.com/tnr140380.aspx?lan=1&art=0&fed=BAH&flag=30&wi=821

Update!: Bahamas places 3rd in Category E, and finishes in 118th position--up from 158 at the start!

Kendrick Knowles and Carver Moncur both hit their strides at the same time in these final rounds, and together with Elton Joseph, they helped to propel Team Bahamas to three straight match wins.  Kendrick's and Carver's hard work and detailed preparation for this Olympiad seems to have paid off mightily when today they both hit the minimum 50% score requirement for the Candidate Master (CM) title.  This marks The Bahamas' third title qualification of this Olympiad, after Elton achieved a 50% score through eight rounds.  The unofficial list of new CM's can be found at http://chess-results.com/tnr140380.aspx?lan=1&art=59&fed=NCA&flag=30&wi=821.

The trio on boards 2, 3, and 4 has performed far beyond their rating levels, fending off a host of 2000-rated players.  Once verified, the titles will be a fitting demonstration that Bahamas chess is on a steep rise, and the world had better take notice.

Now, on to the eleventh and final round -- Bahamas vs Nicaragua.  The match will take place on Thursday morning, 11:00 am Tromso time (5:00 am ET), after a well-deserved day off.  Tune in live at https://chess24.com/en/olympiad2014.