History
In the 1960's, a few men with an interest in chess founded the Bahamas Chess Association as a vehicle to promote the game in The Bahamas. These Pioneers were the late Dr. Oswald Symonette, Kenneth Adderley, Chris Burrows and Lincoln Davis. Meetings, I am told, were sometimes held in member's houses when public buildings like schools were not available to players.
Following the Fischer-Spassky match in Iceland in 1972, Grandmaster Luthar Schmid, the arbiter in that match, visited the Bahamas. He played a simultaneous exhibition at one of the Cable Beach Hotels. He must have been impressed with our play because he supported the Bahamas application for membership to the world chess body Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), and the Bahamas become a member in 1974. We have remained a member ever since, except for a period in the 1980's when we were suspended until our arrears in membership dues was paid off. The Bahamas has sent teams to the Olympiad on four occasions (1974 in Nice France; 1986 in Dubai, UAE; 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece; and 1990 in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia).
The Federation has always sought to promote the development of its youth. The junior programme got off to a good start in 1974 with the first Bahamas Junior Chess Championship. The High School Team Championship followed a year later and has continued for the next 25 years and remains one of the most prestigious events on the junior calendar.
It comes then as little surprise that the youth representation of the country in regional and international events was of a high standard. In 1983, Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean. Juliet Storr won the same title two years later, and a team of four players -- Antoinette Seymour, Juliet Storr, Percy Rolle and Andrew Moss -- did the Bahamas proud in the 4th World Youth U26 Team Chess Championship in Chicago, 1983.
The Scholastic Championship is the Federation's latest effort at promoting to the youth in the school system from primary to tertiary level.
At present, there are hundreds of players in the country -- players who have come out of the school system but who have become inactive once high school was over. At present, active membership is less than fifty, but the prospects for our future remain high, if the pupils who are now starting at younger ages continue to develop. A suitable home base would be a definite plus for our image.
Warren H. Seymour - 2004
(edited by Andre White)
Following the Fischer-Spassky match in Iceland in 1972, Grandmaster Luthar Schmid, the arbiter in that match, visited the Bahamas. He played a simultaneous exhibition at one of the Cable Beach Hotels. He must have been impressed with our play because he supported the Bahamas application for membership to the world chess body Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE), and the Bahamas become a member in 1974. We have remained a member ever since, except for a period in the 1980's when we were suspended until our arrears in membership dues was paid off. The Bahamas has sent teams to the Olympiad on four occasions (1974 in Nice France; 1986 in Dubai, UAE; 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece; and 1990 in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia).
The Federation has always sought to promote the development of its youth. The junior programme got off to a good start in 1974 with the first Bahamas Junior Chess Championship. The High School Team Championship followed a year later and has continued for the next 25 years and remains one of the most prestigious events on the junior calendar.
It comes then as little surprise that the youth representation of the country in regional and international events was of a high standard. In 1983, Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean. Juliet Storr won the same title two years later, and a team of four players -- Antoinette Seymour, Juliet Storr, Percy Rolle and Andrew Moss -- did the Bahamas proud in the 4th World Youth U26 Team Chess Championship in Chicago, 1983.
The Scholastic Championship is the Federation's latest effort at promoting to the youth in the school system from primary to tertiary level.
At present, there are hundreds of players in the country -- players who have come out of the school system but who have become inactive once high school was over. At present, active membership is less than fifty, but the prospects for our future remain high, if the pupils who are now starting at younger ages continue to develop. A suitable home base would be a definite plus for our image.
Warren H. Seymour - 2004
(edited by Andre White)
BAHAMAS CHESS OLYMPIAD HISTORY
Elías Antonas (National Champion 1969, 1970, 1971), Caswell Thompson (National Champion 1972, 1973, 1978), Anthony Rolle (National Champion 1974, 1977), Kenneth Adderley, Selvyn Ramcharran, Kirk Ingraham represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1974 in Nice, France.
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983), D. Moss, Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), L. Coleby represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1986 in Dubai, UAE.
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983), Paul Beneby represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Byron Small (National Champion 1992, 1997), Keith Watson (National Champion 1989), Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), Trevor Smith, Charlton Clint represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1990 in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Elton Joseph, Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016), Cecil Moncur, and Chappell Whyms represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 2014 in Tromso, Norway.
CM Elton Joseph, CM Kendrick Knowles, NM Valentine Cox, NM Frank Gibson, FM Cecil Moncur represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983), D. Moss, Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), L. Coleby represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1986 in Dubai, UAE.
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983), Paul Beneby represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1988 in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Byron Small (National Champion 1992, 1997), Keith Watson (National Champion 1989), Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005), Trevor Smith, Charlton Clint represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1990 in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia.
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015), Elton Joseph, Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016), Cecil Moncur, and Chappell Whyms represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 2014 in Tromso, Norway.
CM Elton Joseph, CM Kendrick Knowles, NM Valentine Cox, NM Frank Gibson, FM Cecil Moncur represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 2016 in Baku, Azerbaijan
PLAYERS WHO REPRESENTED BAHAMAS IN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS
Elías Antonas represented the Bahamas in 1975 at Central American & the Caribbean FIDE Zonal Tournament (Santo Domingo).
Elías Antonas won Alabama Chess Championship in 1975.
Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1983.
Juliet Storr won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1985.
Antoinette Seymour, Juliet Storr, Percy Rolle and Andrew Moss represented the Bahamas in 1983, in Chicago, at 4th World Youth U26 Team Chess Championship.
Kean Smith was BCF President during 2006-2011.
Polina Karelina and Sophia Millar represented the Bahamas at World youth U8 girls chess championship 2009 in Turkey
Ken Gibson, Elton Joseph, Yan Lyanski, Byron Small, Joseph Ferguson, Chappel Whyms, Milton Evans, and Tamiko McDonald represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Sub-zonal in 2010 (Nassau, Bahamas).
Travis Miller, Nelissa Thomas, Sandeep Gali, Aaron Rollins represented the Bahamas at North American Youth 2011.
Polina Karelina and Sophia Millar represented the Bahamas at World youth U10 girls and U8 girls chess championship 2011 in Brazil.
Andre White was BCF President during 2012-2016.
Polina Karelina won the U12 girls Kyiv chess championship in 2012 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Philip Hanna Jr. , Sandeep Gali and Chaz Garraway represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2013.
Nathan Smith and Daijah Johnson represented the Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival in 2013.
Nathan Smith, Philip Hanna Jr., and Chaz Garraway represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2014.
Kendrick Knowles represented the Bahamas at 2.3.5 Sub-zonal in 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Daijah Johnson, Philip Hanna Jr., and Malik Sands represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2015.
Daijah Johnson, Nathan Smith, and Luke Stuart represented the Bahamas at Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival in 2015.
Nathan Smith won the Under 12 section of CARIFTA in 2016.
Polina Karelina represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Female Sub-Zonal in 2016 in Barbados.
Valentine Cox represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Absolute Sub-Zonal in 2016 in Barbados.
Polina Karelina represented the Bahamas at SPFGI 2016 in St. Louis, Misssouri.
Trinity Pinder, Adam Clarke, Davonye Edmond, Ivoine Strachan and Suraj Nair represented the Bahamas at
CARIFTA Chess Championship 2017 in Kingston, Jamaica. Coach Elton Joseph.
Elías Antonas represented the Bahamas in 1975 at Central American & the Caribbean FIDE Zonal Tournament (Santo Domingo).
Elías Antonas won Alabama Chess Championship in 1975.
Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1983.
Juliet Storr won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean in 1985.
Antoinette Seymour, Juliet Storr, Percy Rolle and Andrew Moss represented the Bahamas in 1983, in Chicago, at 4th World Youth U26 Team Chess Championship.
Kean Smith was BCF President during 2006-2011.
Polina Karelina and Sophia Millar represented the Bahamas at World youth U8 girls chess championship 2009 in Turkey
Ken Gibson, Elton Joseph, Yan Lyanski, Byron Small, Joseph Ferguson, Chappel Whyms, Milton Evans, and Tamiko McDonald represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Sub-zonal in 2010 (Nassau, Bahamas).
Travis Miller, Nelissa Thomas, Sandeep Gali, Aaron Rollins represented the Bahamas at North American Youth 2011.
Polina Karelina and Sophia Millar represented the Bahamas at World youth U10 girls and U8 girls chess championship 2011 in Brazil.
Andre White was BCF President during 2012-2016.
Polina Karelina won the U12 girls Kyiv chess championship in 2012 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Philip Hanna Jr. , Sandeep Gali and Chaz Garraway represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2013.
Nathan Smith and Daijah Johnson represented the Bahamas at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival in 2013.
Nathan Smith, Philip Hanna Jr., and Chaz Garraway represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2014.
Kendrick Knowles represented the Bahamas at 2.3.5 Sub-zonal in 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago.
Daijah Johnson, Philip Hanna Jr., and Malik Sands represented the Bahamas at CARIFTA Junior Chess 2015.
Daijah Johnson, Nathan Smith, and Luke Stuart represented the Bahamas at Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival in 2015.
Nathan Smith won the Under 12 section of CARIFTA in 2016.
Polina Karelina represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Female Sub-Zonal in 2016 in Barbados.
Valentine Cox represented the Bahamas at the 2.3.5 Absolute Sub-Zonal in 2016 in Barbados.
Polina Karelina represented the Bahamas at SPFGI 2016 in St. Louis, Misssouri.
Trinity Pinder, Adam Clarke, Davonye Edmond, Ivoine Strachan and Suraj Nair represented the Bahamas at
CARIFTA Chess Championship 2017 in Kingston, Jamaica. Coach Elton Joseph.
BAHAMAS NATIONAL CHAMPION 2017
NM Byron Small
BAHAMAS JUNIOR CHAMPION 2017
WCM Polina Karelina
BAHAMAS NATIONAL MASTERS
Warren H. Seymour (Honored Chess Teacher)
Elías Antonas (National Champion 1969, 1970, 1971)
Caswell Thompson (National Champion 1972, 1973, 1978)
Anthony Rolle (National Champion 1974, 1977)
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015)
Antoinette C. Seymour (National Champion 1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983)
Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005)
Byron Small (National Champion 1992, 1997, 2017)
Adilson Lopes (National Champion 1998, 1999, 2000)
Ken Gibson (National Champion 2008, 2010, 2011)
CM Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016)
FIRST BAHAMAS NATIONAL MASTER
Elías Antonas (National Champion 1969, 1970, 1971)
FIRST NATIONAL MASTER TO ALSO HOLD AN INTERNATIONAL TITLE
CM Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016) was awarded the Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
OUTSTANDING BAHAMAS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Frank Gibson - seven-time National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005
Antoinette C. Seymour - six-time National Champion 1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
YOUNGEST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Elías Antonas became the Bahamas National Champion in 1969 when he was 15 years old
Antoinette C. Seymour became the Bahamas National Champion in 1976 when she was 15 years old
OUTSTANDING BAHAMAS JUNIOR CHAMPION
Antoinette C. Seymour - eight-time Junior Champion 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
YOUNGEST JUNIOR CHAMPION
WCM Polina Karelina became the Bahamas Junior Chess Champion in 2011 when she was 10 years old.
FIRST PLAYERS WHO REPRESENTED THE BAHAMAS IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Team:
Elías Antonas, Caswell Thompson, Anthony Rolle, Kenneth Adderley,
Selvyn Ramcharran, Kirk Ingraham represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1974 in Nice, France.
Individual:
Elías Antonas represented the Bahamas in 1975 at Central American & the Caribbean FIDE Zonal Tournament (Santo Domingo).
GOLD IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
In 1983, NM Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean Chess Festival.
In 1985, Juliet Storr won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean Chess Festival.
In 2013, CM Nathan Smith won a gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival
In 2014, CM Nathan Smith won Gold Medal at CARIFTA in Martinique in the Under 10 division.
In 2016, CM Nathan Smith won the Under 12 section of CARIFTA held in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
BRONZE IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
In 2015, WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT IN THE BAHAMAS
The Caribbean Chess Sub Zonal was held in Nassau, the Bahamas from June 25 to July 1, 2010. The 9 round swiss tournament had a time control of 90/40, SD30 plus 30 seconds per move from move one. The tournament was the first Official FIDE event organized by the Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) since it became a member of FIDE in 1974. The tournament comprised 27 players from ten (10) countries. Kean Smith was BCF President.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - CANDIDATE MASTER
In 2013, CM Nathan Smith won the gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival, and based on his exceptional performance, was awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) - a first for The Bahamas.
Andre White was BCF President during this time and coach at this event.
FIRST BAHAMIAN FEMALE TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - WOMAN CANDIDATE MASTER
In 2015, WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - FIDE MASTER
FM Cecil Moncur is the first Bahamian chess player to become a FIDE Master. He was awarded this title at the 2016 chess Olympiad.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED TITLE - INTERNATIONAL ARBITER
In 2017, IA Andre White was awarded International Arbiter Title - first in the Bahamas. He also was the first FIDE Arbiter in 2014.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED TWO INTERNATIONAL TITLES
CM Elton Joseph was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
In 2017, CM Elton Joseph was awarded FIDE Arbiter title.
INTERNATIONAL TITLES HOLDERS
Andre White was BCF President during 2012-2016.
FM Cecil Moncur was awarded FIDE Master title at the 2016 chess Olympiad.
CM Kendrick Knowles was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
CM Elton Joseph was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad. In 2017, he was awarded FIDE Arbiter title.
WCM Polina Karelina was awarded the Women Candidate Master (WCM) title in the Sub-Zonal 2.3.5 (2016, Barbados).
CM Nathan Smith won the gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival 2013, and based on his exceptional performance, was awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) - a first for The Bahamas.
WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
IA Andre White was awarded International Arbiter Title in 2017.
NM Byron Small
BAHAMAS JUNIOR CHAMPION 2017
WCM Polina Karelina
BAHAMAS NATIONAL MASTERS
Warren H. Seymour (Honored Chess Teacher)
Elías Antonas (National Champion 1969, 1970, 1971)
Caswell Thompson (National Champion 1972, 1973, 1978)
Anthony Rolle (National Champion 1974, 1977)
Valentine Cox (National Champion 1975, 2002, 2015)
Antoinette C. Seymour (National Champion 1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990)
Percy Rolle (National Champion 1981, 1982, 1983)
Frank Gibson (National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005)
Byron Small (National Champion 1992, 1997, 2017)
Adilson Lopes (National Champion 1998, 1999, 2000)
Ken Gibson (National Champion 2008, 2010, 2011)
CM Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016)
FIRST BAHAMAS NATIONAL MASTER
Elías Antonas (National Champion 1969, 1970, 1971)
FIRST NATIONAL MASTER TO ALSO HOLD AN INTERNATIONAL TITLE
CM Kendrick Knowles (National Champion 2013, 2014, 2016) was awarded the Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
OUTSTANDING BAHAMAS NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Frank Gibson - seven-time National Champion 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2003, 2004, 2005
Antoinette C. Seymour - six-time National Champion 1976, 1979, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990
YOUNGEST NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Elías Antonas became the Bahamas National Champion in 1969 when he was 15 years old
Antoinette C. Seymour became the Bahamas National Champion in 1976 when she was 15 years old
OUTSTANDING BAHAMAS JUNIOR CHAMPION
Antoinette C. Seymour - eight-time Junior Champion 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983
YOUNGEST JUNIOR CHAMPION
WCM Polina Karelina became the Bahamas Junior Chess Champion in 2011 when she was 10 years old.
FIRST PLAYERS WHO REPRESENTED THE BAHAMAS IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Team:
Elías Antonas, Caswell Thompson, Anthony Rolle, Kenneth Adderley,
Selvyn Ramcharran, Kirk Ingraham represented Bahamas in Chess Olympiad 1974 in Nice, France.
Individual:
Elías Antonas represented the Bahamas in 1975 at Central American & the Caribbean FIDE Zonal Tournament (Santo Domingo).
GOLD IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
In 1983, NM Antoinette Seymour won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean Chess Festival.
In 1985, Juliet Storr won the championship for women in the English-speaking Caribbean Chess Festival.
In 2013, CM Nathan Smith won a gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival
In 2014, CM Nathan Smith won Gold Medal at CARIFTA in Martinique in the Under 10 division.
In 2016, CM Nathan Smith won the Under 12 section of CARIFTA held in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.
BRONZE IN AN INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT
In 2015, WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
FIRST INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT IN THE BAHAMAS
The Caribbean Chess Sub Zonal was held in Nassau, the Bahamas from June 25 to July 1, 2010. The 9 round swiss tournament had a time control of 90/40, SD30 plus 30 seconds per move from move one. The tournament was the first Official FIDE event organized by the Bahamas Chess Federation (BCF) since it became a member of FIDE in 1974. The tournament comprised 27 players from ten (10) countries. Kean Smith was BCF President.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - CANDIDATE MASTER
In 2013, CM Nathan Smith won the gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival, and based on his exceptional performance, was awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) - a first for The Bahamas.
Andre White was BCF President during this time and coach at this event.
FIRST BAHAMIAN FEMALE TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - WOMAN CANDIDATE MASTER
In 2015, WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED INTERNATIONAL TITLE - FIDE MASTER
FM Cecil Moncur is the first Bahamian chess player to become a FIDE Master. He was awarded this title at the 2016 chess Olympiad.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED TITLE - INTERNATIONAL ARBITER
In 2017, IA Andre White was awarded International Arbiter Title - first in the Bahamas. He also was the first FIDE Arbiter in 2014.
FIRST BAHAMIAN TO BE AWARDED TWO INTERNATIONAL TITLES
CM Elton Joseph was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
In 2017, CM Elton Joseph was awarded FIDE Arbiter title.
INTERNATIONAL TITLES HOLDERS
Andre White was BCF President during 2012-2016.
FM Cecil Moncur was awarded FIDE Master title at the 2016 chess Olympiad.
CM Kendrick Knowles was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad.
CM Elton Joseph was awarded Candidate Master title at the 2014 chess Olympiad. In 2017, he was awarded FIDE Arbiter title.
WCM Polina Karelina was awarded the Women Candidate Master (WCM) title in the Sub-Zonal 2.3.5 (2016, Barbados).
CM Nathan Smith won the gold medal in the Under-8 age category in the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Youth Festival 2013, and based on his exceptional performance, was awarded the Candidate Master (CM) title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) - a first for The Bahamas.
WCM Daijah Johnson was awarded the Woman Candidate Master (WCM) title for winning bronze in Under-12 Female section at the CAC Youth Festival 2015 in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Elton Joseph was the coach at this event.
IA Andre White was awarded International Arbiter Title in 2017.
