The Bregado Flax Educational Centre - Secondary Division Senior Team has been declared winners in the first Inter-School Chess Tournament. Photo: GIS

St. Georges Secondary School Junior Team have been declared winner in the Junior division. Photo: GIS

Acting Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Orlandette Crabbe said the Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament was the first in the Territory and sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports. 

“Without you, this event would not have been possible,” Mrs. Crabbe said in thanking thanked Minister for Education, Culture and Youth affairs Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) for endorsing the vision. She further thanked the BVI Chess Federation for its support, expertise and commitment to fostering a culture of intelligence and strategic thinking in the community and the officials, arbiters, and volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament.

Tournament Director, Mr. Art Christopher said that Chess in the Virgin Islands is very strong and dates back 50 years.

“Our Chess Federation is one of the oldest in the world. Lately, we have been trying to get more of our young players to revive chess here. I am overjoyed to see what we have seen here today,” Mr. Christopher said.

The Director added, “We do have a national team that competes internationally and we have been scoping players here for that national team and I think we see a lot of good prospects.”

Jr & Sr top players awarded

The Inter-Secondary School Chess Tournament was categorised by Juniors and Seniors. Second place for the Junior students came from the BFEC and the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) placed third. Second place for the Senior students was the ESHS while St. Georges placed third.

The top three students for the Senior Secondary Division were Alexis Ganigan from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre winning 1st; Zevieh Abraham from the Elmore Stoutt High School placed 2nd; and Dominic Clarence from the Bregado Flax Educational Centre placed 3rd. The final game that determined the winners was played on Wednesday, December 13. 

Coordinator of the Chess Tournament and Education Officer, Ms. Renee Weston said that the seven schools including Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Ciboney Centre for Excellence, Cedar International School, Elmore Stoutt High School, St. Georges Secondary School and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies registered for the tournament.  

Ms. Weston said individual awards were also given for the top students in the Junior Secondary Division. These were Rayjon George from St. Georges Secondary School who placed 1st, Isaiah George from Bregado Flax Educational Centre placing 2nd; while Dimitri Fungfook from the Elmore Stoutt High School placed 3rd.