Saint Lucia’s Female Team Shines at 45th Chess Olympiad, Earns Prestigious Titles
Saint Lucia’s female chess team made history at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, by earning prestigious titles and showcasing their exceptional skills on the international stage. Chelsea Wahid and Tris-Ann Richards secured the first-ever Woman Candidate Master (WCM) and Woman FIDE Master (WFM) titles for Saint Lucia with impressive scores of 6/11 and 7.5/9, respectively.
The Saint Lucia Chess Federation praised the women’s team for their outstanding performance, highlighting their dedication and determination. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for the players themselves but also serves as inspiration for aspiring female chess players in the nation.
It was the first time that Saint Lucia’s female team participated in the Chess Olympiad, with players like Tris-Ann Richards, Vernesa James, Chelsea Wahid, Shekinah Leonce, and Mila Liu representing the island nation. The male team, consisting of Sixtus Gabriel, Cyrus Daniel, Nathaniel Mathurin, Justin James, and Kaieem Elizee, also made their mark at the event.
Kaieem Elizee from the men’s team was also honored with the prestigious FIDE Master title, becoming one of only 23 players out of 188 countries to achieve this recognition with a remarkable score of 6.5/11. The titles of Candidate Master and FIDE Master are among the top official titles awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), signifying the players’ exceptional skills and expertise in the game.
The FIDE rating system plays a crucial role in determining a player’s strength based on their performance against others. To attain titles like Grandmaster, International Master, and FIDE Master, players must meet specific rating requirements, with the minimum ratings for each title set at 2500, 2400, and 2300, respectively. The minimum rating for the title of Candidate Master is 2200, while players with a ranking below 1001 are considered unrated.
Overall, Saint Lucia’s success at the Chess Olympiad highlights the nation’s growing presence in the international chess community and sets a positive example for future generations of players.