JAMAICA men’s team drew 2-2 with Syria, while the women were beaten 4-0 by Denmark as action continued yesterday in the fourth round of the World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey.

Employing a Reti Opening against Ward Al-Tarbosh, Duane Rowe registered the only win for Jamaica as he prevailed in a Knight and pawn ending on Board Two. FM Warren Elliott and co-national champion Damion Davy both earned draws for the second game in a row, while co-national champion Andrew Mellace lost to Ali Hammoudi in a tense Centre Counter game.

After four rounds, Ukraine, Hungary, Armenia, and Russia are the leaders with four wins from as many matches, USA 10th, Canada 12th, Cuba 61st, Barbados 101st, Jamaica 104th, Trinidad and Tobago 115th, and Bermuda 151st. One hundred and fifty-seven nations are competing in the Open section at the 2012 Chess Olympiad.

In the women’s section, Russia and France are in front with four wins from four matches, USA 14th, Cuba 40th, Canada 77th, Jamaica 110th, Barbados 116th, and Trinidad and Tobago 123rd. One hundred twenty-seven teams are in the women’s section of the Olympiad.

Jamaica and Barbados clash in today’s fifth round in the Open section, Trinidad and Tobago play Denmark, Cuba tackle Venezuela, while the United States battle the Czech Republic.

In today’s fifth round in the women’s section, Jamaica meet Uruguay, Barbados engage Kenya, Trinidad and Tobago have Ethiopia, it’s the USA against Vietnam, and Cuba oppose Germany.