PRESS RELEASE: 2002-11-09
RASHAANA BLENMAN GAINS INTERNATIONAL RATING

Former National Women's Champion Rashaana Blenman became our newest internationally rated player after Barbados overpowered Angola 2 ½ - ½ in round 12 of the 35th World Chess Olympiad in Bled, Slovenia.

Blenman, sponsored by Neil & Massey, is only the second female player from Barbados to achieve this honour, following closely on the heels of team mate Nathali Greenidge who gained her international rating just 6 weeks ago.

Rashaana Blenman Barbados' newest FIDE Rated Player

The Bajan women were in devastating form, with Greenidge, who is sponsored by the Mutual and its sports club, and Blenman winning on boards 1 and 2 against Eduarta Duarte and Flora Alfonso respectively.

National Women's Champion Rashida Corbin battled to a draw on board 2 Nair Mendes to ensure that Barbados conceded no games to the Angolans.

In men's action, Barbados had a hard 2 ½ - 1 ½ loss to Uganda when FIDE Master Philip Corbin, sponsored by Light & Power, succumbed to Shadrack Kantinti in what could only be described as an encounter on the wild side.

With Corbin take out of the runnings, the Ugandans shut down the Bajan team by hold National Champion FIDE Master Ricardo Szmetan, FIDE Master Delisle Warner and Askari Elson to draws on the other boards.

Russia marched closer to the Men's Gold Medal with a 2 ½ - 1 ½ win over Croatia. The Russians on 34 ½ points remain 2 points ahead of 2nd placed Hungary who also won 2 ½ - 1 ½ against Georgia.

Armenia after a 3-1 victory over Ukraine holds 3rd spot with 30 points.

In the race for the Women's Medals, tournament leaders Georgia suffered their second shock defeat in a row when they were upset by Vietnam 2-1.

China, despite being held to a 1 ½ - 1 ½ draw by Armenia now share 1st position with the Georgians with 25 ½ points. Russia smashed Hungary 2 ½ - ½ to retain their 3rd position, but closed the gap between the top two to a ½ point lead.

In round 13 the Barbados men face Sri Lanka and the women Japan. The fortunes of both Bajan teams can be followed live on the internet at the BCF Web Site www.barbados.org/chess or the Olympiad Web site www.35chessolympiad.com.

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