Team Bahamas in Hungary for the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad

Nassau, The Bahamas  – The Bahamas Chess Federation is proud to announce the official roster for Team Bahamas at the 45th FIDE Chess Olympiad, currently taking place until September 23rd, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary. With a renewed focus and ambitious goals, Team Bahamas is eager to build upon their previous performance at the 44th FIDE Chess Olympiad, held in Chennai, India.

In Chennai, the Open team concluded their campaign in 159th place out of 188 teams, while the Women’s team finished 141st out of 162 countries. Team Bahamas is determined to surpass these results and showcase their growth and competitive spirit on the global stage.

Team Bahamas Open Lineup:
* FM Carver Moncur – Board 1
* Joseph Ferguson – Board 2
* Avian Pride – Board 3
* Chapel Whyms – Board 4
* Francis Skinner – Board 5
Grand Master Darcy Lima is the Trainer and Captain for the Open team, bringing a wealth of experience and strategic insight to guide the team.

Team Bahamas Women’s Lineup:
* WFM Polina Karelina – Board 1
* CM Nelissa Thomas – Board 2
* CM Daijah Johnson – Board 3
* Chika Pride – Board 4
* Diana Williams – Board 5

Fide Master Winston Cu Hor will lead the Women’s team as Trainer and Captain, ready to inspire and drive the team toward their best performance.

The Open team sees the return of FM Carver Moncur, the sole player from the 2022 team. New faces include 16-year-old Avian Pride, the current Bahamas National Champion, who will be making his fourth international appearance. Chapel Whyms and Francis Skinner, both seasoned Olympiad participants, will rejoin the team, while Joseph Ferguson, a first-time Open team player, brings prior experience as the Women’s team captain in 2022.

For the Women’s team, WFM Polina Karelina, who competed with the Open team in 2022, is now a key member of the Women’s lineup. CM Nelissa Thomas and CM Daijah Johnson return from Chennai, along with 14-year-old Chika Pride, who made history as the youngest female representative from The Bahamas in 2022. Diana Williams joins the team as a newcomer to the Olympiad but with a strong track record of competitive play.

Curtis Pride, Sr., President of the Bahamas Chess Federation, is with the team as the Delegate, supporting and guiding the team throughout the tournament.