The Elmore Stoutt High School has shined as the overall champions of the 2025 Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament for the second consective year. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands.

The Elmore Stoutt High School secured first place in the Junior Divisions. The school also achieved a clean sweep of the Top Player rankings in both categories. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands.

The tournament, which concluded on Saturday, December 13, 2025, after two days of intense competition, was hosted by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex and brought together secondary school students from across the territory.

The eight schools which participated in the competition were Cedar International School, Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Elmore Stoutt High School, St George’s Secondary School, Imagination Academy VI, Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies, Ciboney School of Excellence, and Bregado Flax Educational Centre. 

ESHS won both Junior & Senior divisions 

The Elmore Stoutt High School secured first place in both the Junior and Senior Divisions. The school also achieved a clean sweep of the Top Player rankings in both categories, marking a remarkable showing of their preparation, teamwork, and strategic excellence.

In the Senior Secondary Division, Shamoy Joseph from Elmore Stoutt High School secured first ranking, followed by his teammates Dimitri Fungfook and Raheim Hodge. Meanwhile, in the Junior Secondary Division, Israel Profit secured the top junior position, followed closely by teammates Tiandra Scatliffe and Navin Donovan from the Elmore Stoutt High School. 

Several other schools delivered commendable performances

In the other results, Bregado Flax Educational Centre placed second in the Senior Division and third in the Junior Division, while St George’s Secondary School earned third place in the Senior Division and second place in the Junior Division.

 Top honours in the primary division

In the Primary Division, top honours were awarded to Isaiah Smith of St George’s Primary School, with Kalon Christopher of Agape Total Life Academy placing second and Timoi Scatliffe of St George’s Primary School securing third place.

Chess contributes to developing critical life skills 

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL), congratulated all participating students and schools, noting that chess continues to play an important role in developing critical life skills.

She stated, “Chess challenges our students to think strategically, remain disciplined under pressure, and approach problems with confidence and clarity. These are skills that support learning across all subject areas and prepare young people to navigate an increasingly complex world. Through opportunities like this, students are sharpening their minds, building resilience, and discovering new pathways for growth.”