TEAM BAHAMAS COMPETES AGAINST THE WORLD IN VIRTUAL CHESS OLYMPIAD
Olga Roussos, a member of Team Bahamas competing in the 2020 FIDE Online Chess Olympiad.
As a result of the inability to stage the regular World Chess Olympiad this year in Moscow, Russia due to Covid-19 pandemic, The International Chess Federation (FIDE) organized the virtual edition of the Olympiad. With one hundred and sixty-three countries, including The Bahamas and all its regional counterparts, and over 1,500 participants from all over the world the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) first Online Olympiad is a global team event. The 30-day event kicked off 25 July.
The members of the Bahamas Online Olympiad Team included: - Philip Hanna, Nelissa Thomas, Nathaniel A Higgs, Aidan Mart, Chika Pride, Avian Pride, Olga Roussos, Aaron Ramtulla and Makayla Horton. Prior to the start of the Online Chess Olympiad the team trained tirelessly, during lockdowns and curfews, by participating in several Bahamas Chess Federation online tournaments. The training was designed to help members get used to online competitions and gain experience.
The Bahamas competed valiantly in Division 4 for three intense days beginning 31 July. Through Hurricane Isaias, power cuts and intermittent wi-fi the players pressed on. In a testament to their commitment to represent The Bahamas, the participants secured extra data, charged tablets, and used generators so that they would not miss their games.
This was the first time playing in the Olympiad for all Team Bahamas participants. The players did well against FIDE Masters, Woman International Masters, Candidate Masters and Woman Candidate Masters as well as National Masters from other countries. “This prestigious competition was a great learning experience for all participants”, said Elton Joseph, President, Bahamas Chess Federation. He added: - “The performance of the participants demonstrates the progress the Federation is making, but also brought home the fact that we need to continue to work towards developing the skill level of all our players. The Bahamas Chess Federation will continue to work to grow the sport of chess in The Bahamas and to give our players opportunities to participate in international competitions.”
The Bahamas placed 9th in Division 4 with a total of nine (9) points. Juniors, Chika Pride and her brother Avian Pride did well garnering three (3) points and two (2) points respectively. Nelissa Thomas also had a good performance winning two (2) out of three (3) rounds. Aidan Mart and MakAayla Horton finished with one (1) point each.
The 2020 Olympiad is a competition between countries and was designed as a community event to help countries interact with each other. Three countries from the region, including Jamaica, advanced to the next division. The FIDE Online Olympiad ends 30 August.
The members of the Bahamas Online Olympiad Team included: - Philip Hanna, Nelissa Thomas, Nathaniel A Higgs, Aidan Mart, Chika Pride, Avian Pride, Olga Roussos, Aaron Ramtulla and Makayla Horton. Prior to the start of the Online Chess Olympiad the team trained tirelessly, during lockdowns and curfews, by participating in several Bahamas Chess Federation online tournaments. The training was designed to help members get used to online competitions and gain experience.
The Bahamas competed valiantly in Division 4 for three intense days beginning 31 July. Through Hurricane Isaias, power cuts and intermittent wi-fi the players pressed on. In a testament to their commitment to represent The Bahamas, the participants secured extra data, charged tablets, and used generators so that they would not miss their games.
This was the first time playing in the Olympiad for all Team Bahamas participants. The players did well against FIDE Masters, Woman International Masters, Candidate Masters and Woman Candidate Masters as well as National Masters from other countries. “This prestigious competition was a great learning experience for all participants”, said Elton Joseph, President, Bahamas Chess Federation. He added: - “The performance of the participants demonstrates the progress the Federation is making, but also brought home the fact that we need to continue to work towards developing the skill level of all our players. The Bahamas Chess Federation will continue to work to grow the sport of chess in The Bahamas and to give our players opportunities to participate in international competitions.”
The Bahamas placed 9th in Division 4 with a total of nine (9) points. Juniors, Chika Pride and her brother Avian Pride did well garnering three (3) points and two (2) points respectively. Nelissa Thomas also had a good performance winning two (2) out of three (3) rounds. Aidan Mart and MakAayla Horton finished with one (1) point each.
The 2020 Olympiad is a competition between countries and was designed as a community event to help countries interact with each other. Three countries from the region, including Jamaica, advanced to the next division. The FIDE Online Olympiad ends 30 August.
