PRESS RELEASE: 2002-10-28
BARBADOS & TRINIDAD BATTLE TO 2-2 DRAW

When the dust settled, the score board read 2-2 and neither party were pleased, so ended the historic second meeting between Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados at a Chess Olympiad.

In what can only be termed a no holds bar brawl, the Trinis and Bajans held back nothing letting the combinations and sacs fly.

First to fall was FIDE Master Philip Corbin, who in a bout of over confidence, sacrifice first a Knight and then a Rook for a mating attack. Sadly the double sacrifice was unsound and Trinidad's Yogendranath Ramsingh calmly accepted both pieces and defended accurately for the win.

Following on Corbin's heels was Kevin Greenidge on board 4, whose poor opening gave FIDE Master Mario Merritt free reign to attack unmercifully and win in crushing style.

With the score 2-0 in Trinidad's favour, and an unthinkable 4-0 breathing down their necks, the pressure was on FIDE Master Delisle Warner and National Champion Ricardo Szmetan to win their games.

Warner who had earlier dropped the exchange, played with determination to force a win after an inaccuracy by Trindad's Cristo Cave.

Trinidad vs Barbados: Szmetan, Corbin, Warner and Greenidge (r-l)

In other Men's action Jamaica were outplayed by the Dominican Republic 3-1 while Cuba won a hard fought match against Bulgaria 2 ½ - ½ .

Russia produced an unusual 3-1 win by drawing their two games with white and winning the two with black against India. The Indians missing their superstar Former World Champion Anand, fought hard but found Kasparov and crew unstoppable.

Also winning by a 3-1 margin was Georgia against Greece on board 6.

But the day however belonged to the Polish team who produced a big 3-1 win over Croatia in the Men to head the standing with Georgia, Russia and Cuba, and a 2 ½ - ½ win against Israel in the win to take the sole lead by a ½ point ahead of Defending Champions China, USA and Yugoslavia.

The Bajan women had much to smile about today as they produce their first win of the Olympiad when they defeat Zambia 2-1.

Zambia vs Barbados: Rashaana Blenman, Rashida Corbin & Nathali Greenidge (l-r)

Winning for the Bajan lasses was Nathali Greenidge against Elizabeth Mutale, while Ladies Champion Rashida Corbin and team mate Rashaana Blenman shut down the Zambians with draws on boards 2 and 3 against Linda Nangwale and Mumba Chilfya.

The Jamaica women suffer their 3rd loss in a row when they crashed out 3-0 against Algeria.

Algeria vs Jamaica: Maria Palmer, Deborah Richards and Hui Zhu.

In top board action the Chinese women squeezed out a vital 2-1 victory against rivals Russia and USA upset the much fancied Georgian Women's team by a similar margin.

The fourth round will see Barbados paired against hosts Slovenia in the men and Ireland in the women. Both are tough matches and can be followed live on the internet at the Olympiad Web site http://www.35chessolympiad.com/.

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