Team Saint Lucia returned home recently from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.
Whereas the team did not figure among the top competing countries, the trip was rewarding at the individual level, while there were also some bright spots for the group.
A record-breaking 193 teams took part in the open (men’s) section and 181 squads in the women’s competition for the 45th edition of the Olympiad, which also marked 100 years since the global governing body, FIDE, was formed.
After 11 rounds of play over nearly two weeks, Saint Lucia’s men placed 146th, while the women were 139th.
The men swept Sao Tome and Principe, defeated Palau, and drew 2-2 with Liechtenstein, Isle of Man, Guernsey, and Senegal. They lost to the Faroe Islands, Netherlands Antilles, Nigeria, Uganda, and Suriname.
The women swept the Democratic Republic of the Congo, overcame Mauritania and Liechtenstein, and held Palau and the Bahamas to draws, but were swept by Bangladesh and Barbados, also losing to Guam, Namibia, Haiti, and Lesotho.
Three Saint Lucians earned new titles coming out of the competition. Kaieem Elizee is now a FIDE Master (FM) after securing a score of 6.5/11. Tris-Ann Richards became the island’s first Woman FIDE Master (WFM) with a score of 7.5/9, losing just one game. And Chelsea Wahid is the nation’s first Woman Candidate Master (WCM).
These rankings are conditional on the next round of FIDE ratings. Each player’s page on the FIDE website will be updated after the next FIDE Assembly.
Among the other special moments for Team Saint Lucia, the men were adjudged to have the Best Sports Uniform. Nathaniel Mathurin upset Faroe Islands Grandmaster Ziska Helgi Dam in Round 1. Mother and son, Vernesa and Justin James, made their Chess Olympiad debuts together. Vernesa, in fact, learned to play chess from her son.
“We are overly grateful for the love and positive response we have received,” said Richards. “We extend our heartfelt ‘thank you’ to everyone who has supported the team and the Saint Lucia Chess Federation.”
The federation has only existed since 2019, and the nation debuted at the global level with a men’s team in Chennai two years ago. But after a strong showing at this year’s Olympiad, players and the organisation as a whole are energised and ready for the next biennial showcase.
