Team Profile

The Ethiopian Chess Federation had cause for celebration when NM Dawit Wondimu won a silver medal as a reserve in the 2000 Olympiad. His tally of 5˝-1˝ was equal with GM Alexei Barsov of Uzbekistan who took the gold on tiebreaks… he was just ahead of Russian GM Alexander Grishuk.

NM Wossenyelew Hailu will also return to the Olympiad after tying with Wondimu for the most points in 2000. He is perhaps most famous for his game against Botswana player Ofentse Molale in which he sacked two pieces and a rook (with check!), but after 24.Qh6 he missed 24… Re7! and his brilliant idea was refuted. The Ethiopians will definitely have a bit of confidence coming into Bled.

Dawit Wondimu having just received silver medal at 2000 Olympiad.

Dawit Wondimu (center)
accepting medal
at 2000 Olympiad.
National
Anthem
Ethiopia's Men’s Team. (kneeling, from left to right) are Dewit Wondimu (Bd. 1), Fikreselassie Alemu (Bd. 2), Yimam Abera (Bd. 3); standing (from left to right) Abenet Bekele (Bd. 4), Mekitu Molla (Bd. 5), Wossenyelew Hailu (Bd. 6) and the Team Captain, Tsega Kumlachew. Copyright © Jerry Bibuld, 2002.

2002 Men's Team: kneeling (from left to right) are Dawit Wondimu (Bd. 1), Fikreselassie Alemu (Bd. 2), Yimam Abera (Bd. 3); standing (from left to right) Abenet Bekele (Bd. 4), Mekitu Molla (Bd. 5), Wossenyelew Hailu (Bd. 6) and the Team Captain, Tsega Kumlachew. Photo by Jerry Bibuld.