KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia, CMC – Trinidad and Tobago crushed Ghana 4-0 to make headlines on a day when the English-speaking Caribbean had a disastrous outing at the 39th World Chess Olympiad yesterday.
While the Trinidadians excelled, Barbados went down 3-1 to Belgium while Jamaica lost 2-1/2 – 1-1/2 to Libya.
T&T carved out their handsome victory over the Ghanaians thanks to victories by FIDE Masters Ryan Harper, Keron Cabralis and Frank Yee, and Ravishen Singh over Francis Anquandah, Nii Koney, Bonsu Bempa and Cornelis Hoogendijk respectively.
Barbados, meanwhile, suffered after International Master Kevin Denny and FIDE Master Delisle Warner were beaten by International Master Bart Michiels and FIDE Master Thibaut Vandenbussche respectively.
International Master Terry Farley saved face for Barbados when he drew with International Master Richard Polaczek while FIDE Master Dr. Philip Corbin followed suit in earning a share of the points with FIDE Master Jan Rooze.
Libya continued its good run against English-speaking Caribbean teams with FIDE Master Hussein Asabri scoring the decisive point for Libya by beating Duane Rowe, while the other three games in the match ended in draws.
Fortunes for the Caribbean were no better on the women’s side, as Jamaica drew 2-2 with Algeria, Barbados went down 2½ – 1½ to Yemen and Trinidad & Tobago crashed 3½ – ½ to Japan.
Today, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago will clash with each other in an all Caribbean men’s match-up while Barbados face Ecuador in men’s action and Uganda in the women draw.
