Maria Varona-Thomas should be commended for her exemplary performance in Baku

By Errol Tiwari On In Chess with Errol |
Maria Varona-Thomas (in photo), qualified for the international chess title of Woman FIDE Master at the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, two weeks ago. It was the first major title for a female chess player from Guyana. Maria contested the required 11 games on Board One for Guyana and scored victories against fellow board one players from the following countries: Tanzania, Aruba, Chinese Tai Pei, Sudan, Fiji, Barbados and Palestine. She drew with Qatar and Wales. Maria lost against Zambia and Singapore. She placed 21st from a total of 663 women participants at the Olympiad.
Maria Varona-Thomas (in photo), qualified for the international chess title of Woman FIDE Master at the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku, Azerbaijan, two weeks ago. It was the first major title for a female chess player from Guyana. Maria contested the required 11 games on Board One for Guyana and scored victories against fellow board one players from the following countries: Tanzania, Aruba, Chinese Tai Pei, Sudan, Fiji, Barbados and Palestine. She drew with Qatar and Wales. Maria lost against Zambia and Singapore. She placed 21st from a total of 663 women participants at the Olympiad.

Hardly anyone expected Guyana to qualify for a major international chess title. It had never happened previously for a woman chess player. Maria Varona-Thomas’s magnificent performance, therefore, at the 42nd Chess Olympiad at Baku, Azerbaijan, the biennial team competition that players consider the biggest international tournament, was unlikely. For the game of chess, the victory of capturing an unprecedented title, is like capturing an Olympic medal. Guyana should be ebullient about it, especially the proponents of gender parity for women in chess.

ChessLogoGuyana’s women team was not a formidable lineup. Teams at the Chess Olympiad comprise five players, four of whom play each match.