2024 Budapest Olympiad - Day 1 Report

2024 Budapest Olympiad – Day 1 Report

Day 1 of the 2024 Budapest Olympiad brought a loud cheer on Kenyan social media platforms when youngster Robert Mcligeyo snatched a draw from GM Li Min Peng during their round one encounter. Kenya lost the match 3.5-0.5, but that did not dampen the spirits of the massive crowd that watched the games on various platforms.

Traditionally, nations like Kenya, which are considered weaker in the chess world, are often paired against one of the stronger, ‘giant’ teams. The score in such matches typically favors the stronger team, often resulting in a 4-0 outcome. Let’s delve into what transpired during this match.

Elvis Likoko, making his maiden Olympiad appearance and playing on board 3, was the first to succumb to intense pressure when he lost to GM Nico Georgiadis.

Martin Njoroge fought against GM Yannick Pelletier, but he was soon outplayed.

Ian Mutuge, on board 4, was the last player to finish, and the Kenyan fans were hoping for another upset draw, but then his position crumbled just before the time control at move 40. He lost to IM Oliver Kurmann.

On board 3, it initially seemed that Robert Mcligeyo was in a dire position, with the computer evaluation favoring GM Peng with +2. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Robert executed a move reminiscent of a Tal -like strategy with 35. Ne4. This move presented the GM Peng with two stark choices – either force a perpetual or face checkmate on g7.

Other African News

Xavier Mpmpel Frruz (2273) of Equatorial Guinea delivered a shocker by defeating his Icelandic opponent, GM Gudmundur Kjartansson (2478), on board 1, a victory that left many in disbelief.

Iceland however won the match with a 3-1 score.

Visa hitches

The start of the 2024 Chess Olympiad has been overshadowed by the absence of several teams in round one, a disappointing outcome largely due to visa issues.

Eighteen teams in the Open category failed to appear for round one due to visa problems. African federations, as is often the case, faced the brunt of these visa hassles, with 12 of them, including major teams like Uganda and Zambia, encountering significant delays and rejections in their visa applications.

The Kenyan team has also suffered, with four players having their visa applications rejected, which necessitated an expensive and long appeal process.

In the Ladies Section, 14 African teams still need to make it. The Kenyan ladies’ team only managed to get two out of the five players to Budapest in time for round one, which meant they had to forfeit the first round.

The Chess Olympiad is a significant event with teams from about 188 countries participating. It is natural to assume that most players will be ordinary folks, teachers, students and a couple of businessmen.

Compare this with the FIFA World Cup, where teams from only 32 countries take part and several players are professionals.

I am at a loss to understand why Hungary decided to host the Chess Olympiad in the first place and apply stringent rules on their visa rules for the chess players. I know each country has a right to control the entry of foreigners, but indeed, this is the Olympiad, and a little latitude is required from the host nation.