Grenada registers first point, defeating Cameroon in 45th Chess Olympiad 2024

Grenada, competing for the first time at the Chess Olympiad 2024, scored the opening point by defeating the top player and FIDE Chess Master from Cameroon.

The 45th Chess Olympiad is currently taking place in Budapest, Hungary, effective from September 10^th and will continue till 23^rd, 2024. It is an international team chess event which is organised by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). This esteemed event brought together chess prodigies from around the globe, offering them a platform to compete against the best and brightest in a total of eleven rounds.

And, it is truly a historical moment for Grenada as it is one of those 200 nations who are competing at the Chess Olympiad 2024. As, Grenada has played the initiation matches in both the men and women category, it has recorded the first point against the nation of Cameroon. The latter team had four-men with three chess Masters. Although the team members played solidly, Grenada lost three games apart from the mentioned victory.

Meanwhile, the Grenadian women came up against Namibia whose 4-member team also had three international Chess Masters. Despite the best efforts by the Grenadian women, they lost to Namibia by 4-0.

The best players in both the games for Grenada remained Renniel Gilbert in Men and Bennel Chitan in Women respectively. Also, Renniel Gilbert was named the current National Chess Champion, after he emerged as the top player in the first ever National Chess Tournament in May 2024.

Notably, the Grenada Chess Team left the island on Sunday, September 8, 2024 to participate in the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.

The Prime Minister of Grenada, Dickon Mitchell; Acting Minister for Youth and Sports, Delma Thomas and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Senator Seville Francis were also present at the Maurice Bishop International Airport to bid farewell and extend their best wishes to the team.

Moreover, the President of Grenada Chess Federation, Ruggles Ferguson stated that the participation of Grenada at Chess Olympiad is truly a proud moment for the entire country. He stated that the year 2024 has been very successful for them as they had their first national chess championship in May. The top 3 players in Grenada are a part of the team that are competing in Budapest, Hungary.

He stated that the participation of Grenada at Chess Olympiad would be a exposure for the team as well as inspiration for other young people to pick up chess.

The Grenada Chess Federation was established in May 2019 with a vision to bring the game of chess nationwide throughout the communities in Grenada schools both primary and secondary and using it as an education tool.

The players that are competing at the Chess Olympiad includes, Renniel Gilbert, Vladimir Mendez, Gennard Roberts, Tyler Thomas, and Javon James in the Men’s team. Meanwhile the female squad includes, Achazia Lewis, Naziyah James, Rockisha Flanders, Tauriel Frank, and Bernel Chitan.