Chess on losing end in Budapest

Barbados’ teams both suffered losses on the third day of the 45th Chess Olympiad at the Dr Jeno Koltai Sports Centre in Budapest, Hungary, on Friday.

In the open (men’s) section, Barbados lost 3-5-5 to Zambia, only FIDE Master Dr Philip Corbin managing to draw with Micheal Kaoma. Justin Balckman lost to International Master Chitumbo Mwali; Kemp Lynch was taken down by FIDE Master Prince Daniel Mulenga; and Emar Edwards was defeated by Candidate Master Charles Hapaku.

The men will play Uganda in Round 4. After a 4-0 victory over the United States Virgin Islands on Thursday, and a 4-0 loss to Montenegro on Wednesday, Barbados are on 4.5 points, tied at 128th with Sudan.

The Barbados women also lost 3.5-5, to Bangladesh. Women’s FIDE Master Anjum Noshin bettered Women’s Candidate Master Hannah Wilson. Women’s Candidate Master Katrina Blackman held fellow Women’s Candidate Master Alo Nusrat Jahan to a draw. Women’s FIDE Master Ahmed Wadifa overcame Women’s Candidate Master Chanon Reifer-Belle. And Women’s International Master Rani Hamid stopped Leshay Springer.

With a loss to Switzerland 3.5-5, and a comprehensive win over Saint Lucia 4-0, Barbados women go into their next round of competition against Mauritius. The Bajan lasses are tied with Tajikistan at 103rd in the standings with five points.

(TF)