At the 45th World Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary, five members of Liberia’s national chess team have absconded, leaving their team and country in disarray.
According to a statement from the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF), players Arnold Smith, Barcon Harmon, Obediah Saah, Thomas Saah, and Women’s Section captain Teta Thompson disappeared during the event. Accompanying team members Foday Kondoh and Alfred Kollie also vanished, adding further strain on the Liberian delegation.
The sudden abscondment left Liberia unable to field a full line-up for their match against Guam, resulting in a forfeit.
The LCF reported the matter to the President of the African Confederation of Chess (ACC) and notified the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and Hungarian authorities.
In response, the LCF has indefinitely suspended the seven players from all chess activities under its jurisdiction.
In the statement, LCF President Thomas Karyah expressed deep regret, issuing a formal apology to FIDE, the Hungarian Chess Federation, and the ACC.
Describing the absconding players’ actions as “mindless and shameful,” the federation has called on Hungarian authorities to take the necessary actions to ensure the players’ return and to hold them accountable for their misuse of Schengen visas issued by the Hungarian Embassy in Accra, Ghana.
Despite this setback, Liberia’s chess team found success on the board, particularly in the women’s section. Abigail Karyah, a high school student, and Georgina Sackie, the national female chess champion, earned international titles for their exceptional performances during the Olympiad.
Karyah won eight out of eleven rounds and was awarded the prestigious title of Women FIDE Master (WFM), while Sackie also achieved the WFM title after winning six rounds.
The LCF reaffirmed its dedication to promoting chess as a tool for social development and inclusivity in Liberia, stating that the unfortunate incident would not derail their efforts to foster chess among young Liberians.
The federation pledged to continue its work in using the sport to promote socioeconomic development while ensuring that those who undermine its mission face the appropriate consequences.
This incident marks a difficult chapter for Liberia’s chess federation as it strives to balance international representation with local development goals.
