Polina Karelina (born 19 May 2001) is a Bahamian chess player who holds the title of Woman FIDE Master. As of February 2026, Karelina was the highest rated player in the Bahamas.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 May 2001 Ukraine |
| Chess career | |
| Country | Bahamas |
| Title | Woman FIDE Master |
| FIDE rating | 1934 |
| Peak rating | 1965 |
Early life and career
editKarelina was born in Ukraine and moved to the Bahamas when she was four years old.[2][3] She grew up on Paradise Island.[2]
Karelina learned to play chess at age four.[2] At six, she won the under-10 championship in the Bahamas, and at eight she became the under-18 scholastic champion.[2]
In 2009, Karelina represented the Bahamas at the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-8 girls category.[4] In 2011, she competed in the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-8 and under-10 girls sections.[4] That year, at age ten, Karelina became the youngest ever Bahamas Junior Chess Champion. In 2012, she won the Kyiv under-12 girls championship.[4]
In 2016, Karelina was awarded the Woman Candidate Master title following her performance in the women's 2.3.5 sub-zonal tournament in Barbados.[2][5] The same year, she competed at the Susan Polgar Foundation Girls' Invitational in Saint Louis, Missouri, placing 25th of 64 players.[4][6]
In 2017, Karelina won the Bahamas Junior Championship. In 2018, she represented the Bahamas in the open section at the 43rd Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia.[4][7] In March 2019, Karelina won the Bahamas Junior Chess Championship, placing first in the under-18 and under-20 categories.[8] In 2022, She competed as a member of the open team at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.[9]
In 2024, Karelina earned the title of Woman FIDE Master.[5] In September of the same year, she represented the Bahamas in the women's section at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, Hungary.[10]
References
edit- ↑ "Chess Rankings". FIDE. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Kaehler, Arne (9 August 2020). "The Best In - The Bahamas". Chess News. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "PLAY MAGNUS - PLAY LIVE CHALLENGE 2016 CONTESTANTS BOOKLET" (PDF). Retrieved 23 February 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Awards". Bahamas Chess Federation. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- 1 2 "Karelina, Polina". FIDE. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "US Chess MSA - Cross Table for 2016 SPF GIRLS' INVITATIONAL (Event 201607280732)". US Chess. 27 July 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "World Chess Olympiad 2018". Bahamas Chess Federation. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Federation holds 45th Annual junior Chess Tournament". The Tribune. 27 March 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Bahamas Chess Olympiad Team puts their best foot forward at the 44th Chess Olympiad". Eyewitness News. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
- ↑ "Chess masters return from 45th World Chess Olympiad". The Tribune. 3 October 2024. Retrieved 24 February 2026.
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