Aspiring grandmasters will put their skills to the test later this month at the second annual D’Lion Chess Club Tournament. Scheduled for Saturday, June 21, at the Bay Gardens Inn’s Ixora Room in Rodney Bay, the event aims to foster the growth of chess among young players, with organisers hoping to attract up to 100 participants.
Coach Terence Lindo told St Lucia Times that competitors will be divided into four categories: Rooks (Under-20), Knights (Under-13), Bishops (Under-11), and Pawns (Under-9). The tournament is part of a broader effort to promote chess across the country, building on the work Lindo and the Saint Lucia Chess Federation have done through chess lessons in recent years.
While the federation held its National Age Group Championships in May, Lindo emphasised that this event offers a more relaxed and less intense environment for developing players.
“Last year we had 55 players,” Lindo said. “We hope to get 100 this time. The goal is to continue to grow chess in Saint Lucia. It’s a fun event. It’s competitive, but as it’s not a national event, they’re under less pressure.”
The tournament will feature six rounds of play. Lindo noted that, despite the casual atmosphere, the structure will adhere to international rules, helping players prepare for higher levels of competition.
“It’s a Rapid Time Control tournament, 15 minutes plus a 10-second increment,” Lindo revealed. “That gives us time for a quality game. These are the same time intervals used in World Rapid Championships. We also use a pairings system called Swiss pairings, where you play against opponents with the same number of ranking points.”
Ultra Mart and Bay Gardens Resorts are sponsoring the second annual D’Lion Chess Club Tournament. It is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on June 21. Registration ends on Tuesday, June 10. Chess lessons are available on Saturdays at the federation’s headquarters in Cocoville, Rodney Bay.
