BVI Celebrates Historic Chess Olympiad Success
The Virgin Islands National Chess Team has been officially welcomed home following an impressive performance at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The delegation achieved major milestones, including Candidate Master titles earned by Shamoy Joseph and 14-year-old Kiara Phillip, as well as recognition for Jhon Samuel. Government officials and sports leaders praised the players for representing the Territory on the global stage and highlighted the continuing expansion of chess across local schools.
The Government of the Virgin Islands has officially welcomed home the Virgin Islands National Chess Team following an outstanding and historic showing at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. A welcome ceremony hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports celebrated the delegation after more than two weeks abroad representing the Territory at one of the world’s premier sporting events.
The Territory fielded teams in both the Open and Women’s sections, competing across 11 demanding rounds against players from across the globe. Among the major highlights of Team VI’s campaign were individual milestone achievements, with special recognition given to Shamoy Joseph and 14-year-old Kiara Phillip, who both attained the prestigious Candidate Master title for their performances in Samarkand.
Jhon Samuel was also formally recognized for his conditional Candidate Master achievement earned at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India. Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, congratulated the team on their accomplishments and described their success as evidence of expanding avenues for young Virgin Islanders beyond traditional sporting disciplines.
She emphasized that the strategic thinking, discipline, and adaptability cultivated through chess align directly with the Ministry's goal of developing well-rounded students capable of international competition. Minister de Castro also pointed to the rapid growth of chess within the local education system, recalling the strong enthusiasm from students when the game was introduced during Innovation Week several years ago.
Through support from Unite BVI, more than 250 chessboards were distributed to schools across the Territory, leading educators to report notable improvements in student focus and academic engagement. She encouraged the young players to continue striving toward higher goals regardless of age.
President of the Virgin Islands Chess Federation, Maurice Lettsome, expressed immense pride in the delegation, noting that Team VI competed effectively against nations with substantially larger populations and direct access to Grandmasters. Lettsome outlined the Federation’s goal to expand local competition, participate in more regional events, and eventually host a regional chess championship in the Virgin Islands.
International Chess Federation Delegate Sachkia Barnes noted that the Territory's involvement with international chess dates back to 1974. She emphasized that the Federation is already preparing for the next Chess Olympiad in Abu Dhabi, aiming to support the current Candidate Masters while nurturing the next generation of Virgin Islands players.
Primary source: BVI Government