GRANDMASTER IN 10 YEARS CHESS PROGRAM

 

PRESS RELEASE

JAMAICA CHESS FEDERATION

SECOND SET OF PLAYERS SELECTED FOR GRANDMASTER-IN-10 PROGRAMME

 

The Grandmaster-In-Ten (GM10) programme organized by the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) continues to gather momentum. The JCF is pleased to inform all players and stakeholders that five (5) new players were selected recently as members of the second cohort of players to receive specialized training as part of the historic programme. 

The JCF hosted an in-person workshop on January 25-26, 2025 at the Medallion Hall Hotel, St. Andrew under the chief direction of International Grandmaster (GM) Maurice Ashley. A number of our top local Chess coaches were also involved including, in particular, International Master (IM) Shane Matthews, FIDE Master (FM) Warren Elliott and Woman International Master (WIM) Deborah Richards-Porter. After an online qualification system was effected, approximately thirty (30) players participated in the said workshop.  After a rigorous assessment process five new players were chosen to complement the seven players who were selected as part of the first cohort in July, 2024. 

The five new players are: FM Jaden Shaw, Ronak Shergil, Samakhya Singh, Luke Wright and Austin Xiang. 

Among the criteria used, in no particular order of significance, to select the new players were: 

1. ambition/desire to be a GM; (b) attitude, including commitment to the programme; (c) Chess talent; (d) knowledge of Chess culture; (e) performance in training games during the workshop; (f) tactical test during the workshop; (g) visualization test during the workshop; and (h) actual, and promised, support by parents/guardians.

The JCF extends profound congratulations to all the players on this historic accomplishment as well as their parents, wider family, sponsors, supporters and, generally, everyone who has assisted them along their outstanding Chess journey to date.

The “specialized training” for the new players in the programme will commence in March, 2025. Players in the programme will be entitled to various benefits including assistance with the costs of their coaching and the costs of participation in tournaments, locally and internationally, including airfare. 

The new players join the original seven selected: Khaleel Bartlett, Rhea Gardner, Corbin Harvey, Emilia Rose Leake, Aaron McKoy, Rajvir Shergil and Nyah Wood who have been undergoing consistent coaching in the GM-10 programme.

The JCF wishes to advise all players, administrators, coaches and all other stakeholders that those individuals who participated in both workshops and were not chosen should continue to nurture your chess passion and train very hard as there will be additional chances for selection in future workshops. The sky is the limit as the JCF is committed to take Jamaica’s Chess to the next level and realize the goal of developing Jamaica’s first homegrown Grandmaster!

Ian G. Wilkinson KC

Chairman

GM-10 Committee

2025 March 11