Guyana has concluded the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad with mixed results, as the women’s team defeated Libya, while the men’s outfit lost to Haiti, at the Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre in Chennai, India, according to a Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) release.
Guyana defeated Libya 3.5 – 1.5.
“Twelve year old deaf player Anaya Lall was most impressive in the final round against Libya, defeating 1836 rated player WFM Khuloud El Flow. This is the highest rated opponent young Anaya has ever defeated earning her, her first FIDE rating. Jessica Callender drew her final match with WFM Khadija Elfelo (1875), while Pooja Lam and Sasha Shariff also defeated their Libyan opponents Alrais and Albudwi respectively. The team triumphantly finished third in the Group E category,” the release stated.
At the end of the tournament, Guyana recorded wins against Laos, Central African Republic, Timor-Leste, and Libya while they drew with Oman. Their performances resulted in an improvement in their international ranking, jumping to 120th from an initial 136th.
Callender and Shariff ended the event on 5.5 points apiece from 10 games, while Pooja Lam, and Lall finished on three points. Nellisha Johnson concluded on 1.5 points.
On the Men’s side, Guyana went down to Haiti by a 1.5-2.5 score-line. The unit, which is now ranked fifth in the Caribbean, ended the event with four wins against the likes of Seychelles, Gabon, Brunei, Darussalam, and Burundi.
FIDE Master (FM) Anthony Drayton concluded the event with 5.5 points from nine rounds. He was followed by Candidate Master (CM) Taffin Khan on 5.5 points from 11 matches, while Loris Nathoo and Ethan Lee ended on 3 points each. Roberto Neto tallied 2.5 points. Both the Open and Women’s team finished on 18.5 points.
It further noted, “It was an all-around successful tournament for the Guyana Chess Olympiad team with increased rating points for players, improved rankings and two new Conditional WCMs in Shariff and Callender.”
“The Board of Directors of the Guyana Chess Federation wishes to thank and congratulate the team for their excellent performances as well as all the individuals who contributed to the success of the trip. Special thanks to the Government of Guyana and all our local sponsors who made this event possible as well as to FIDE and the AICF Organizing Committee. The GCF is very appreciative of all the support and assistance received towards our chess players,” the release added.
