Some of the teams competing in the 2024 Inter-Secondary Schools Chess Tournament December 12 to 13, 2024. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The two-day Inter-Secondary Chess Tournament will take place at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex. Photo: Government of the Virgin Islands

The two-day tournament, December 12 to 13, 2024, at the Multi-purpose Sports Complex, will see the Bregado Flax Educational Centre, Claudia Creque Educational Centre, Ciboney Centre for Excellence, Cedar International School, Elmore Stoutt High School, St. George’s Secondary School and the Virgin Islands School of Technical Studies vie for the title of Chess Champion.

2 days of chess

Day one of the tournament, Thursday, December 12, 2024, will begin with registration of participants, an opening ceremony from 9:00 AM, followed by the commencement of initial rounds.

On day two, Friday, December 13, 2024, participants will check in at 8:45 a.m. followed by announcements and then the rounds.

The semi-finals and the finals will be held during the afternoon session, followed by the closing ceremony and awards presentation.

The release also encouraged members of the public to come out and support the students at the Chess Tournament.

Chess contributes to critical thinking- Hon de Castro

According to Minister for Education, Youth Affairs, and Sports Hon Sharie B. de Castro (AL) in a press release on December 9, 2024, the sport of chess contributes to the critical thinking and problem-solving element of a S.T.E.A.M-approach education.

“At Innovation Week 2024, we have made strides to chess aspect, consistent from the previous year. This year, the competition for bragging rights is much tougher, some of our students have competed on the global scale and are expected to make their mark on the Tournament,” she explained.

Hon de Castro added that her ministry anticipates the excitement of the Inter-Secondary School Tournament to be a “thriller and change the way, not only in reimagining education but also by adding to the landscape and culture of sports in the Territory.”

Meanwhile, Education Officer for Science, Ms. Renee Weston, expressed the Ministry’s strong support for integrating chess into schools.

“Schools across the Territory have consistently embraced and advanced chess as an integral part of their curriculum.  Chess continues to be an invaluable tool within our S.T.E.A.M. framework, benefiting students of all ages and abilities,” she stated.

Ms Weston added that chess presents a vast array of possibilities and endgame scenarios that challenge students to think critically, strategize and anticipate their opponent’s moves.