Israel Bruce returned as President of the SVG Chess Federation

The St Vincent and the Grenadines Chess Federation at its first Biennial General Meeting on March 29, 2025, re-elected Israel Bruce as its president.

A release from the Federation said since its formation, this was their biggest attendance registered at such a chess gathering in SVG.

Bruce, who was challenged for the position by Maxine Glasgow-Cottle, secured 28 of the 42 votes cast.

Ronia Durham-Balcombe was re-elected unopposed as Vice-president; while incumbent Secretary/Treasurer, Kazene Pierre successfully staved off a challenge from Rebecca Enemchukwu, securing 25 votes to Enemchukwu’s 14, with 1 ballot determined to have been spoiled.

Also elected unopposed was Orisia Robinson who retained the position of Public Relations Officer; while Oris Robinson was elected Committee Member without a contest.

Bruce told the meeting of chess lovers that he is committed to ensuring that Chess is the ultimate winner. He cautioned members that the elections are over and they must all be ready to serve the organisation in whatever capacity they are called to serve.

The Federation also stated in its release that the period ahead will see a continuation in the push for ‘Chess In Schools’ (CIS) with a view of hosting national championships among students.

“Equally, women in Chess continues to be a key focus, as we strive to create a more inclusive and supportive space for female players to thrive. Some 13 women and girls have been registered to participate in an international online training for women and girls beginners in chess dubbed ‘the Queens Gambit’”, that began on March, 30,2025 and runs for seven weeks.

The recently added ‘Chess in Prisons’ initiative has also been identified as an area of projected growth.

The Federation stated further that the period ahead will see the introduction of the first ever local Blitz Championship on April 21, 2025, and later, will engage in the a Sub- zonal Championship to be held in Trinidad and Tobago later in April, followed by the CARICOM Chess Championship to take place in Guyana. The Federations biennial meeting also addressed other issues such as a two-tier subscription payment for persons 10-17 years, and those 18 years and over, and also ratified the non-payment of a subscription for members under 10 years of age. It also decided that the new executive will review a section of the Federation’s constitution regarding proxy voting.