Team BVI Excels At Caribbean Chess Cup
Team BVI has returned home following an impressive performance at the inaugural Caribbean Chess Cup in Aruba. Young competitors Anferny Raheem Hodge and Dimitri Fungfook both outperformed their initial rankings, with Hodge capturing fourth place and the Best Under-16 Male award. The tournament serves as key preparation for the upcoming 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan.
Team BVI has returned to the Territory following an outstanding display of skill and composure at the inaugural Caribbean Chess Cup held in Aruba. The event marked the very first international over-the-board tournament for young Virgin Islands players Anferny Raheem Hodge and Dimitri Fungfook, both of whom exceeded expectations against regional competition.
Across the grueling nine-round tournament, both BVI representatives demonstrated remarkable tactical ability. In a fitting conclusion to the event, Hodge and Fungfook faced each other across the board in the final round, concluding their respective campaigns with a well-earned draw.
Hodge finished in fourth place overall in a competitive field of 21 players, scoring 5.5 points from his nine matches. His performance represented a major leap from his initial tournament ranking of 14th place. In addition to his high overall finish, Hodge was awarded the tournament medal for Best Under-16 Male, underscoring his rising status in regional youth chess.
Fungfook also delivered a commendable showing, finishing in ninth place with 4.5 points. Like his teammate, Fungfook showed clear progression during the tournament, improving significantly from his starting rank of 13th. The Aruba tournament served as an essential stepping stone in Team BVI's preparations for the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
The national delegation is scheduled to depart the British Virgin Islands on September 11 to represent the Territory at one of the most prestigious events in international chess. Team BVI's participation in the Caribbean Chess Cup was made possible through the generous support of FIDE Americas, the governing body for chess across the region, alongside the Georges-Rhymer Institute for Public Policy.
The backing was provided in honour of former Deputy Governor Elton Georges, OBE, who was a founding member of the BVI Chess Federation and a champion of youth development. The BVI Chess Federation continues to invite members of the community to follow the squad's journey on Facebook at /bvichess for updates, results, and opportunities to support the Territory's players on the global stage.
Primary source: BVI Platinum