The Comoros chess team has returned from the 46th Chess Olympiad, held in Samarcande, Uzbekistan, with a renewed sense of ambition and three new international titles. The team, led by President Echata Mohamed Daroueche, comprised of both male and female players, participated in the event from September 12-27, alongside over 200 nations. The Comoros team was represented by Alfeine Ambdullah, Aziradji Mohamed Ismael, Abdou Mohamed, Beanjara Azhar Saïd Halidy, and Mchangama Omar for the men's team, and Isma Ismaila Djailane, Fahima Ali Mohamed, Nasra Kamal Ibrahim, Bambaouma Maissane, and Ahmed Houmairaou for the women's team.
The Comoros men's team won four out of eleven matches, defeating Chad, Cambodia, the Isle of Man, and Greenland, and finished with eight match points. The women's team recorded two wins and a draw in eleven matches, accumulating five match points. Fahima Ali Mohamed achieved six points out of eleven, with a performance rating of 1555 Elo, while Ahmed Houmairaou obtained five points out of ten, with a performance rating of 1476 Elo. The team's performance was impacted by the late arrival of two players due to travel authorization issues.
Despite the challenges, the Comoros team secured three new international titles: one Candidate Master (Cm) and two Woman Candidate Master (Wcm) titles, awarded to Fahima Ali Mohamed and Ahmed Houmairaou. The team's participation in the Olympiad was seen as a valuable experience, with President Daroueche emphasizing that the federation aims to build on this momentum and create a stronger chess culture in the country. The federation plans to increase competitions and introduce chess training for children at a young age.
The Comoros team showcased a mix of experienced and young players, with 12-year-old Maissane Bambaouma being the youngest player in the team. She played nine games and secured her first Olympic victory against Sierra Leone's Mary Salamatu Farmer. This performance highlights the federation's focus on developing young talent and creating opportunities for them to compete at the international level.
The 46th Chess Olympiad also featured a summit on chess in schools, which aligned with the Comoros federation's plans to promote chess in educational institutions. The federation aims to relaunch chess clubs in schools, following a circular from the Ministry of Education, and create opportunities for children to discover and develop their chess skills.
The Olympiad also saw the election of a new president for the International Chess Federation (Fide), with Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, taking the helm. The Comoros federation congratulated the new president and his team, expressing hope that they will prioritize the development of chess in countries with limited resources and promote chess in education.
As the Comoros team looks ahead to the next Olympiad in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 2028, they aim to arrive with a stronger team, capable of competing at a higher level. The federation's focus on developing young talent, increasing competitions, and promoting chess in schools will be crucial in achieving this goal.
Key points
- The Comoros chess team secured three new international titles at the 46th Olympiad.
- The federation plans to promote chess in schools and develop young talent.
- The next Chess Olympiad will take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in 2028.
