… from October 25 to October 30th – the 2024 ISF Bahrain Gymnasiade was the largest in the event’s 52 year history with 5,515 athletes from 71 countries competing across 26 sports under shared principles of respect, friendship and resilience, with a strong emphasis on sport and its importance within the educational system for young people.
Chess at the Gymnasiaide
The importance of the inclusion of chess at the Gymnasiade in recent years, supported by FIDE, cannot be overstated. The anticipation is for this presence to be increased in future youth games and sporting championships.
Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony had something of an Olympic feeling, with individual countries entering the Bahrain National Stadium walking behind their national flags in a parade of nations. Attended by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and the president of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, and several other local and international dignitaries, the ceremony exemplified Bahrain’s commitment and vision of sports as an opportunity for harnessing global cultural exchange and collaboration. Following the Bahrain national anthem, a quiet stillness filled the air as an emotional and quite beautiful Qur’anic recitation was performed by a solitary figure, which seemed to capture all the virtues of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the ideals of the Gymnasiade. Performances of dance, and light in sound, provided a mesmerising homage to Bahrain’s rich historical past and vision for its future and that of the Gymnasiade.
Team England
7 players represented England in chess at the ISF Bahrain Gymnasiade 2024 —
From right to left Avyukt Dasgupta, Zain Patel, Sebastian Mokhber-Garcia, Sophie Mehta, Sohana Sengupta, Michelle Chan, Mia Mouskos
Team England Individual Results – Boys
Avyukt Dasgupta – 5.5/9
Started day 2 of the tournament with an upset, drawing against a 2231 fide master from India. Throughout the tournament he had a difficult draw but managed to do well, scoring points from 4/5 of his games against titled opponents. See an interview here – https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCrK7ictEk0/?igsh=MWFvdDc1OXB3eXV4Yg%3D%3D
Sebastian Mokhber-Garcia – 5/9
Scored well in the tournament, only losing against titled players (3 FIDE masters and 1 candidate master). Gained +11.2 rating points.
Zain Patel – 6/9
Scored the highest points out of the entire England squad, and earned +42.4 rating points. His best result was in round 9, beating a 2151 candidate master from Brazil.
Team England Individual Results – Girls
Michelle Chan – 5/9
Scored highest amount of points out of the England girls section, and in the process gained +15.6 rating points.
Mia Mouskos – 4.5/9
Scored 50% of the 9 games. Gained the highest number of rating points in the England girls section, with +50.8.
Sophie Mehta – 4/9
Started the tournament as the highest England girl, and scored a very respectable 4/9. Sophie drew 4 games against strong opposition.
Sohana Sengupta – 3.5/9
Scored highly in day 2 with 2/3 points. Played really good games against opponents with over 1800 rating
Results from the girls section can be found at https://chess-results.com/tnr1036733.aspx?lan=1&art=1&rd=9&fedb=ENG&fed=ENG&flag=30
Results from the boys section can be found at https://chess-results.com/tnr1036735.aspx?lan=1&art=0&fedb=ENG&fed=ENG&flag=30
The England overall tournament final ranking was a fantastic joint 4th with Ukraine out of 22 nations (comprising the results of top boy and top girl combined)
China – 15
Iran – 14.5
Armenia – 12.5/ Azerbaijan- 12.5
Ukraine/England = 11
Arrangements – Hotel
Relaxation between playing days was usually around a piano where the group were entertained by Zain at the piano and the surprisingly talented vocals of Avyukt – between friendly rounds of good natured yet competitive blitz chess matches. The group was joined by Parisa Patel who revelled in playing chess with the team.
Fun Zone Bahrain National Stadium playing table tennis and watching other sports and getting to know other competitors from different sports.
Notable Moments
Sophie Mehta winning the tournament’s FIDE Fair Play Award (above) for allowing her higher ranked opponent’s clock to be paused to give her time to recover from a nose bleed. All team members enthusiastically and proudly shared in the celebrations of her success. Well done Sophie and to everyone who so graciously supported her. It was a great team moment and reaffirmed the sense of togetherness our team displayed throughout this tournament.
Avyukt Dasgupta’s erudite instagram interview to the ISF – link to follow
England winning a team bronze in basketball on the tournament’s final day – well done to James and all the coaching staff.
The England Team Dance during cultural evening – 10/10 for effort.
Forming great friendships within the England sports team and among heads of delegations from chess around the world, in particular Iranian Head Coach Kaveh Khalili, seen here beside Mia Mouskos with GM Sina Movahed next to her who won the individual boys title, along with other members of his team (below).
Summary
The ISF Gymnasiade Bahrain was a unique experience that exceeded expectations and was filled with unforgettable days of sport, cultural exchange and some great chess, against strong international opposition. Perhaps the most satisfying experience was witnessing a great team bond strengthening as the tournament progressed, with our players helping each other in analysing each other’s games to meet the challenges ahead.
Head of Chess Delegation – John Michael Mouskos, closely assisted by Ayan Sengupta & Hatle Mehta
With special thanks for your support and encouragement – Biplap Dasgupta, Shenaz Nasim, Sandra Liliana Garcia Torres, Josephine Lam.
A very special thanks to –
Head of ISF England Delegation Jackie Bedford; Chair of NCSS and ISF President of Boxing Ian Ireland; Head of Safeguarding ISF Sophie Bordet
Ozgur Solakoglu FIDE; Toms Kalnins FIDE
ECF – Alex Holowczak; Debra Atkinson; Andrew Walker
In Bahrain – Logistics Fatima Hussein; Hotel Manager Mohamed
and the many volunteers who made us feel safe and welcome.