Jamaica's men win at World Chess Olympiad

KHANTY-MANSIYSK, Russia (CMC):

Barbados had an outstanding day at the 39th World Chess Olympiad on Wednesday, as both their men's and women's teams claimed impressive victories.

Behind Sheena Ramsay's outstanding win, the women's team beat Tajikistan 2 1/2-1, while their male counterparts carved out a 2 1/2-1 1/2 verdict over Bahrain on day two of the competition.

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago's men's teams were also victorious by similar margins, beating Monaco and Kenya 2 1/2-1 1/2, respectively, but their women's sides did not share their success.

The Jamaican men's victory came courtesy of wins by Duane Rowe and Shane Matthews, while International Master Jomo Petterson drew on Board Two.

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For Trinidad & Tobago, FIDE Masters Ryan Harper and Keron Cabralis were the winners, with FIDE Master Frank Yee drawing on Board Four.

The Jamaican women lost to Sri Lanka 3-1 and the Trinidadians were crushed 4-0 by Paraguay.

Barbados took centre stage, however, with the women making headlines with their solid win. Ramsay starred for the Barbadians when she defeated Asila Muhtojzoda in only 21 moves.

"I couldn't believe that she moved her rook off the back rank when I attacked it with my bishop," Ramsay said.

"I sat there saying something has to be wrong, it has to be a trick, but I just couldn't see how she could avoid mate when I checked her with my rook."

Tajikistan's troubles doubled when Katrina Blackman beat Lidiya Antonovia on Board 3 and Nathali Greendidge increased the lead when she drew with Marvorii Nasriddinzoda after a long battle.

Tajikistan's only triumph came on Board 2 with Nadezhda Antonova who ground out a hard fought win against Rashida Corbin.

Barbados' men, meanwhile, were led by national champion Martyn Del Castilho who scored the decisive win against FIDE Master Husain Ayyad on Board 4.

International Masters Kevin Denny and Terry Farley, and FIDE Master Delisle Warner held the line for Barbados with draws against Ali Al Sulaiti, Khalil Bukhalaf and FIDE Maher Ayyad respectively.

'I sat there saying something has to be wrong, it has to be a trick, but I just couldn't see how she could avoid mate when I checked her with my rook.'