41st Chess Olympiad in Tromsø, Norway |04 August 2014

Seychelles men’s team win opening match by walkover

The Seychelles men’s team recorded a win by walkover in round one on Saturday in the 41st World Chess Olympiad for their best ever start.
The country’s team won 4-0 against Turkmenistan who were not present and Seychelles joined 64 other countries who won their opening round matches in Tromsø, Norway.

Comprising Benjamin Hoareau, Timothy Kate, Ragul Pillay, Kurt Meier and Peter Meier, the Seychelles men’s team were to play the second round match against Romania who boast three professionals.

As for the women’s team, they lost 0-4 to Montenegro on Saturday and their second game was against Bolivia yesterday.
Dericka Figaro, Elsa Hoareau, Rachel Hoareau, Flora Meier and Jessie Eulentin make up the women’s team.

Bernadette Contoret is part of the delegation and she will act as a referee, while Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation sports journalist Jefferson Quilindo has also made the trip.

The fourth largest sporting event in the world in terms of the number of countries taking part, the World Chess Olympiad is being contested by most of the best players in the world including world chess champion Magnus Carlsen who was designated to make the official drawing of colours for the open and women's events. Both times he pulled out a black piece to give the odd-numbered teams black on first board in the first round.

During the opening ceremony, World Chess Federation (Fide) president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov welcomed the gathering to the 41st Chess Olympiad and praised the natural beauty of the event's setting.

All 174 nations taking part were introduced in a flag ceremony, and there was an enthusiastic international welcome for the arrival of the Norwegian team on stage, led by world champion Magnus Carlsen, who said: “It is very special to be on home ground – and this is a unique opportunity! I have great faith in our team, and am sure that we can give anyone we meet a real fight.”

Norway's Finance Minister Siv Jensen introduced the start of the games with a wink to national pride: "With Magnus Carlsen world chess champion it is only fitting that the Chess Olympiad is held in Norway and Tromsø."

In a typically Norwegian welcome, the mayor called on each team to introduce themselves by standing and cheering as their flag rolled past on a central screen.

Like Turkmenistan, Timor Leste, Congo and Mali did not turn up for their first round matches and the organisers have said they are not sure if these teams may appear late and take part in the event.

G. G.