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JAMAICA IN GOLD MEDAL HUNT!!

 

By Ian Wilkinson QC

 

REPORT 8 on rounds 7-9

 JAMAICA IN GOLD MEDAL HUNT!!

 

REPORT EIGHT

Jamaica’s women rebounded from two consecutive losses (to France and Estonia, in rounds 7 and 8, respectively) to crush European team Kosovo 3 ½ - ½ in round 9 play today at the 43rd Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.
Jamaica’s triumph was due to wins on board 1 (Krishna Gray over Ndriqona Saraci); board 3 (CM Rachel Miller returning to winning ways against Elfete Vitia); and on board 3 where debutante WCM Adani Clarke outclassed Nita Saraci in a pawn ending. Jamaica’s leading scorer WCM Ariel Barrett drew a hard-fought game on board 2 against Rinesa Saraci with only kings left on the board after over 70 moves!
By virtue of this victory Jamaica is now on 9 points, climbing the standings again and is # 81 of the 150 countries in the section. In tomorrow’s 10th round, the penultimate of this prestigious event, they will face a tough Mexico ranked 53, well above Jimmy Cliff’s fellow citizens.

JAMAICA TIED FOR FIRST IN CATEGORY (D)!

Jamaica is tied for first place with Paraguay, Sri Lanka and Thailand for the main category (D) prize. The only time Jamaica took top honours in a category was at the 39th Chess Olympiad in Khanty Mansiysk, Siberia, 2010.
The Women’s section is being led by China on 16 points. They are followed by Ukraine, Armenia and the USA all on 15 points. Russia, Azerbaijan and Georgia 1 (all on 14 points) are just “around the corner” and still in the hunt for a podium finish.
Key round 10 matches are: China- USA, Ukraine-Russia, Azerbaijan-Armenia and Georgia 1 - Czech Republic (on 13 points).

JAMAICAN MEN HOLD SCOTLAND!

Board 1 player FM Warren Elliott had Jamaica's sole win against Scotland

After a painful eighth-round defeat to a higher rated Zambian aggregation, Jamaica’s men pulled themselves together and played well to drawing 2-2 against even higher rated opposition - Scotland. This result was achieved after a fine win on the top board by FM Warren Elliott against FM Alan Tate who outrated the Jamaican by close to 150 points! Although FM Ras Malaku Lorne and FM Shreyas Smith drew tough games against FM Clement Sreeves and FM Murad Abdulla on boards 2 and 3, respectively, debutant FM Joshua Christie lost to IM Roderick McKay as the spoils were shared.
Jamaica are now on 9 points and in position # 106, slightly ahead of their starting # 109 ranking of 185 countries. In round 10 Jamaica will face another higher rated team, this time Andorra led by Grandmaster Oscar De La Riva.
This (Open) section is being led jointly by Poland in clear first on 16 points after the team of the tournament to date defeated the defending champions USA 2 ½ - 1 ½. The only win was on board 3 where GM Kacper Piorun upset GM Hikaru Nakamura although the American outrated the Pole by over 150 points. The USA, China, Armenia and England come next on 15 points each. France, Russia, Germany and Croatia are next on 14 points each.
In tomorrow’s crucial penultimate 10th round, the key clashes are - China-Poland; Armenia-USA; Russia-England and France-Croatia.
JAMAICA’S SPONSORS
Jamaica's participation in the 43rd Chess Olympiad has been made possible via sponsorship from the Government of Jamaica through the Sports Development Foundation; the Jamaica Tourist Board; the Jamaica Olympic Association and Magnificent Chess Foundation.
PICTURES: L-R - 1. Jamaica's women in action; 2. Board 1 player FM Warren Elliott had Jamaica's sole win against Scotland;
Ian G. Wilkinson QC
President Jamaica Chess Federation
(Jamaica's Delegate to the FIDE Congress/General Assembly - the "United Nations of Chess")

In the Open section Jamaica’s men notched their third 4-0 victory, this time their victims were Mauritius, after wins by FM Warren Elliott, FM Ras Malaku Lorne, CM Duane Rowe and FM Joshua Christie, on boards 1-4, respectively.
Jamaica is now on 6 match points (13 board points) and # 107 of 185 countries. In tomorrow’s 7th round they will face Palestine.
This section is being led jointly by Azerbaijan and Poland tied on 12 points. They will face each other in a big round 7 clash. The defending champion USA is in clear third on 11 points and will battle Croatia (10) next.

JAMAICA’S SPONSORS
Jamaica's participation in the 43rd Chess Olympiad has been made possible via sponsorship from the Government of Jamaica through the Sports Development Foundation; the Jamaica Tourist Board; the Jamaica Olympic Association and Magnificent Chess Foundation.

Ian G. Wilkinson QC
President Jamaica Chess Federation
(Jamaica's Delegate to the FIDE Congress/General Assembly - the "United Nations of Chess")
2018 September 30

 

 

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