President of FIDE, Arkady Dvorkovich, recently completed a multi-stop visit across the Caribbean and Central America, reinforcing FIDE’s commitment to expanding chess through education, institutional partnerships, and competitive opportunities.
In Barbados, Dvorkovich met with key officials, including the Minister of Educational Transformation, Chad Blackman, and the Chief Education Officer, Dr. Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, to discuss integrating chess into the national education system. Talks focused on using the game to enhance critical thinking and student development. He also engaged with the President of the Barbados Chess Federation, Allan Herbert, exploring opportunities to grow the sport locally.
The FIDE President also met with the President of Barbados, Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Davidson Bostic, underscoring the importance of chess at the national level. Their discussions also covered social and educational initiatives in the country, including how chess could be integrated into them.
The timing of the visit coincided with the 2026 Heroes Day Challengers Cup, hosted at the Central Bank of Barbados, further emphasizing the country’s active role in regional chess development.
The International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, organized by World Research Society, is scheduled for October 03, 2026 in Bridgetown, Barbados. FIDE representatives were invited to participate.
In Saint Lucia, the visit centered on institutional development. Meetings with the Saint Lucia National Olympic Committee addressed closer cooperation and the federation’s potential integration into the Olympic structure, alongside broader collaboration with the International Olympic Committee.
In Panama, Dvorkovich marked chess’s debut in the South American Youth Games, symbolizing FIDE’s push to integrate chess into multi-sport events. He also held a series of meetings – both in person and online – with federations across the region.
Summing up the tour, the FIDE President emphasized strong alignment across countries:
“Following 25 in-person and online conversations… we share key priorities – from bringing chess to schools to training young talents and organizing events, including under the Olympic umbrella. Huge program ahead for FIDE AMERICA. Together!”
The visit highlights growing momentum for chess across Central America and the Caribbean, with a clear focus on sustainable development and regional cooperation.