On December 6 & 7, the first annual STX Open Chess Tournament took place at Good Hope Country Day School and was nothing short of spectacular! For over 20 years the vast majority of Virgin Islanders had been denied the opportunity to qualify for the VI Olympic chess team and were unjustly excluded from membership in the USVI Chess Federation, run by nonresidents. Thankfully, Judge Brady, in a Superior Court hearing in May, ordered a special election of new chess federation leadership for the benefit of the VI community. New federation officers were elected, and these new officers have opened the floodgates of opportunity for all VI residents and native-born Virgin Islanders.

 

A total of 61 people, young and old, registered for the tournament, the biggest chess event ever held in the territory. Seasoned chess players from St. Croix and St. Thomas who had been overlooked for many years reconnected and embraced. Gifted young players from schools on both islands met and engaged with each other. Players as young as 8 as well as special needs individuals were welcomed, encouraged and performed admirably.

 

As a result of this tournament, each participant will receive a “FIDE” ID. FIDE stands for "Fédération Internationale des Échecs," which translates to International Chess Federation. It is the worldwide governing body for chess, responsible for regulating international competitions and promoting the game globally. With a FIDE ID, opportunities abound throughout the Caribbean and the Americas for our Virgin Islands young people and adults.

 

This is a new day for chess in the VI! The new officers of the USVI Chess Federation are hoping to establish our beautiful islands as a global chess destination that will bolster the VI economy and promote tourism. They are hugely grateful to Good Hope Country Day School for graciously inviting all chess players in the territory to use their Pavilion for this event and hopefully future events. It was perfect and the support GHCD staff & students gave to the VI chess community was awesome. Despite the current high cost of inter-island travel, 16 St. Thomians, students and adults, traveled to St. Croix for this long-awaited opportunity! The excitement, enthusiasm and especially camaraderie that was ignited by this event was priceless!