Basseterre, St. Kitts — 21 July 2022 — Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Liamuiga were joined by members of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation for a chess event on Wednesday 20 July 2022, in commemoration of International Chess Day. Dr Izben C Williams, President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation, along with Ms P’Della’P Stanley, Director of the Secretariat and Team Manager, presented to the membership the origins of the game, its benefits, and how playing chess can improve mental health and productivity. “International Chess Day 2022 is being observed under the theme ‘Women in Chess.’ The purpose is to encourage girls and women to learn how to play chess and make it as common among women as it is among men,” noted Dr Williams. “Our National Chess Federation endeavours to have at least fifty women trained in chess in St. Kitts and Nevis over the next year, and have at least 50% of Primary School children learn and play chess in a few years.”
The Forty-fourth (44th) Chess Olympiad and 2022 Congress were originally slated to have been held in Russia. However, because of the ongoing Russia/Ukraine hostilities, both events have been re-assigned to India — specifically the municipality of Chennai — from 28 July to 10 August. The St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation has been invited to participate in both the Olympiad and the FIDE Congress. St. Kitts and Nevis will be represented by a six-member team for the Olympiad and by a small delegation at the Congress, departing on Sunday 24 July and returning around 13 August 2022. The St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation, established in 2019, became a member of FIDE in 2020. For it to have achieved this status in such a short time is a truly phenomenal accomplishment. The Labour Spokesman extends heartiest congratulations and best wishes to the St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation.