Youth Talent and Competitive Spirit Mark SVG Chess Championship

Images featuring winners from the various categories of the Tyrone Jack Memorial National Chess Championship. These images were provided by the SVGCF.

By S.Browne. Updated 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

The Tyrone Jack Memorial National Chess Championship, held on January 17th and 18th, 2026 at the UWI Global Campus, brought together players from across St. Vincent and the Grenadines for two days of youth talent and competitive spirit across multiple categories.

In the youth male division, Nathanael Lawrence secured first place, followed by Le’mar Abbott in second. The youth female category saw Stacy Baptiste-King take first place, with Arianna Balcombe finishing second.

In the female category, Madam Ronnia Durham-Balcombe, Speaker of the House of Assembly, placed first, followed by Molissa Ashton in second and Kazene Pierre in third. The open category was won by Vedant Shetty, who emerged as the overall champion, with Raymond Osakwe in second and Terrence Latchman in third.

The Championship also highlighted the family spirit of chess, with participation from the mother-and-daughter duo Ronnia Durham-Balcombe and Arianna Balcombe, and the mother-and-son duo Kazene Pierre and Dantés La Primavera.

The 2026 Championship recorded increased youth participation, with students representing several schools across St. Vincent and the Grenadines, including Calliaqua Government, Kingstown Preparatory and Government, St. Vincent Girls’ High, St. Vincent Grammar School, and St. Martin’s Secondary, underscoring the growing popularity of the sport.

The Championship concluded with a closing ceremony chaired by Public Relations Officer of the SVGCF, Ms. Orisia Robinson. Closing remarks were delivered by the President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation, Israel R. Bruce, who reiterated the importance of chess in national development and outlined the Federation’s plans for the coming months.

The Championship was arbitrated virtually by Chief Arbiter Mr. Brian Cottle, with Dr. Pushparaj Shetty serving as the in-person arbiter.

Remarks were also delivered by the Minister of Youth, Sports, Culture and the Creative Industries, Kaschaka Cupid, who presented trophies to the winners of the youth category. In his address, the Minister emphasised the importance of expanding sports in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to include chess, not only through partnerships but also through infrastructure development, particularly the need for a dedicated home for chess.

The SVGCF extended special thanks to the Taiwan Embassy, National Lotteries Authority, and UWI Global Campus, as well as all participants, well-wishers, members of the media, and supporters.

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The information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the SVGCF.