Jamaica's chess teams are in their final preparations for the Chess Olympiad in Norway, August 1-14. The squads are being led by technical director FM Warren Elliott and NM Russel Porter, coach and captain of the female team. Both come with considerable experience locally and internationally and are confident the teams can do well this year.

"Our absolute (men's) team does not have the usual faces this year but it's a vibrant youthful team with a lot of energy. I expect good things," said technical director FM Elliott. "I also believe the female team provides much promise, fielding three internationally titled players. I have strong hopes of seeing the best performance from both teams."

limitations

Jamaica became the first English-speaking Caribbean country to win a category prize when the female team won gold at the 2010 Olympiad in Russia and female team coach Porter says with a few limitations, the team is doing its best to prepare.

"We hope to, at least, repeat our best successes," he said.

The absolute team consists of CM Damion Davy, NM Malaku Lorne, NM Andrew Mellace, NM Daren Wisdom and NM Brandon Wilson. The female team members are WIM Deborah Richards-Porter, WFM Rachel Miller, WCM Melisha Smith, Annesha Smith and Krishna Gray.

Both teams will be accompanied by two very promising players, Shreyas Smith and Ariel Barrett, who will be assistants to the coaches and teams and will gain valuable experience. The head of the delegation is president of the Jamaica Chess Federation Ian Wilkinson, QC, and his deputy chef de mission will be Donald Miller, a vice-president of the Federation. International arbiter Robert Wheeler will also be at the Olympiad representing Jamaica in another capacity as one of the arbiters of the Olympiad. The teams leaves on July 30.