The Virgin Islands is fielding its national chess teams at the biggest Chess Olympiad ever staged, with players safely in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, for 11 rounds of elite over-the-board competition. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, running September 15–27, has drawn a record 208 teams in the Open section and 192 in the Women’s event, underscoring the scale of the stage on which VI’s athletes will compete. Photo: Facebook

In the months leading up to Samarkand, VI’s national team members benefited from an international training program that began in June. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

A government press release stated that the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, running September 15–27, has drawn a record 208 teams in the Open section and 192 in the Women’s event, underscoring the scale of the stage on which VI’s athletes will compete.

The opening ceremony was held on September 15 at the Silk Road International Tourism Centre, with Round 1 beginning on September 16 at 3:00 PM local time. A rest day falls on September 22 before the final rounds conclude on September 27, when champions in both sections will be crowned. 

In the months leading up to Samarkand, VI’s national team members benefited from an international training programme that began in June. The squad’s youngest players also gained competitive experience through two international preparatory tournaments this summer in Peru and Aruba, helping sharpen form ahead of the 11-round Swiss-system team event.

National team rosters

The Federation announced the following representatives for the Open and Women’s teams:

Open Team

• Board 1: Maurice Lettsome
• Board 2: Jhon Samuel
• Board 3: Shamoy Joseph
• Board 4: Anferny Raheem Hodge
• Reserve: Dimitri Fungfook
• Captain: Art Christopher

Women’s Team

• Board 1: Tiandra Scatliffe
• Board 2: Makalia Fergus
• Board 3: Alexis Ganigan
• Board 4: Chane-Ann Chin
• Reserve: Kiara Phillip
• Captain: Angela Franco

Jenefer McSheene serves as Team Manager, while Sachkia Barnes acts as the VI’s Delegate to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Congress. The delegation is further supported on the ground by accompanying parents and other supporters.

Virgin Islanders encouraged to support team 

Residents across the Virgin Islands are invited to follow the team’s progress, celebrate milestones, and send best wishes as the players fly the VI flag in Samarkand.

With the first round underway on September 16 and play continuing through September 27, the VI teams enter a historic edition of the Chess Olympiad poised to gain valuable experience against some of the strongest national squads in the world.