Submitted by William McCormick
MIAMI GARDENS, FL. — Florida Memorial University (FMU) proudly celebrates the outstanding international achievement of student Avian Pride, who represented The Bahamas Open Team at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Pride, a Freshman Computer Science major from Nassau, Bahamas, competed as Board 4 for The Bahamas, helping the country secure the Silver Medal in Category E, a significant accomplishment on the international chess stage. This marked the second time Pride has represented The Bahamas at the Chess Olympiad.
Throughout the competition, Pride played nine games, recording four victories against Vanuatu, Greenland, Papua New Guinea, and Somalia, while earning two draws against the Cayman Islands and Curaçao. His individual performance contributed to the Bahamas Open Team’s successful medal finish.
Adding to the significance of his Olympiad experience, Pride achieved the requirements to earn the prestigious FIDE Candidate Master (CM) title during the competition. He will now be recognized internationally as CM Avian Pride.
“I know the work I’ve put in and the practice I’ve done. This title is a steppingstone to achieve greater things in chess,” said CM Avian Pride.
Earning the title represents an important milestone in Pride’s chess career and places him among a distinguished group of competitive chess players worldwide.
“Florida Memorial University is exceptionally proud of Avian Pride and this remarkable international accomplishment,” said President William C. McCormick, Jr. “Avian’s success is a powerful example of the excellence, discipline, determination, and global engagement that our students bring to everything they pursue. To represent Florida Memorial University and his home of The Bahamas on the international stage, contribute to a medal-winning team, and earn the Candidate Master title is an extraordinary accomplishment. We are proud to celebrate CM Avian Pride as a member of the Florida Memorial University Lion family.”
Pride’s achievement reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students as they pursue excellence both inside and beyond the classroom. His participation on the international stage demonstrates the many ways FMU students represent their communities, countries, and University with distinction.
About Florida Memorial University
Founded in 1879, Florida Memorial University is South Florida’s only Black college or university located in Miami Gardens, Florida. FMU is committed to academic excellence, student success, leadership development, innovation, and service. The University offers 30+ undergraduate and graduate programs in STEM, education, social sciences, arts and humanities, business, and aeronautical science.