The Jamaica Chess Federation · Est. 1969
Chess, Jamaica's sport of choice.
The governing body for chess in Jamaica, affiliated to FIDE since 1972. We organise tournaments, keep the ratings, train arbiters and pick the teams that represent Jamaica.
FIDE MEMBER1972Affiliated to the world chess federation
35
players at Pan Am Youth 2026 — our largest delegation
1969Federation founded
1972Affiliated to FIDE
35Players at Pan Am Youth 2026
2×Zone 2.3.3 winners, 2024 Olympiad
Coming up
Upcoming tournaments
Enter online and pay by bank transfer. Upload the receipt and the organiser confirms your place.
OCT10Jamaica International OpenSat 10 Oct 2026 · JCF HQ, KingstonFrom J$5,000FIDE rated 80 placesNOV21Dr. Harold Chan OpenSat 21 – Sun 22 Nov 2026 · JCF HQ, KingstonFrom J$3,000FIDE rated 120 placesNOV28Enos Grant Open BlitzSat 28 Nov 2026 · JCF HQ, KingstonFrom J$2,000National ratingDEC5WIM Deborah Richards-Porter Girls FestivalSat 5 Dec 2026 · Venue to be announcedFrom J$1,500 100 places
What we do
Chess for every Jamaican
TournamentsSanctioned championships, opens and rapid & blitz events, run to FIDE rules all year.Ratings & selectionNational and FIDE ratings, Grand Prix qualifiers and national team selection.Schools chessThe National High School Chess Championships, our premier island-wide tournament.TrainingYear-round national squad training and the Grandmaster-in-10 programme.Arbiter trainingCertified Assistant and Senior Arbiter courses, on the path to FIDE titles.Clubs & parishesRegistered clubs, affiliates and parish associations across the island.
Latest news
From the federation
OlympiadJamaica shines at the 46th FIDE Chess OlympiadJamaica fielded Open and Women's teams among more than 200 nations in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.25 Sep 2026
JuniorsJamaica delivers strongest-ever showing at Pan American Youth Chess FestivalJamaica fielded its largest-ever delegation of 35 players and beat higher-rated opponents from across the Americas.20 Jul 2026
TournamentsKaia Gayle claims historic U18 Absolute and Girls doubleThe Amber Group National Age Group Championship crowned champions from U8 to U18 at the National Arena.5 May 2026
Team Jamaica
Our champions
Kaia GayleU18 Absolute & U18 Girls
Rhea GardenerU10 Girls · 6½/9 at Pan Am Youth
Darren McKennisCM · Olympiad Open team
Open & Women's teamsZone 2.3.3 winners
Membership
Join the federation
Members play sanctioned events, are eligible for national selection and get JCF news first.
Play for Jamaica.
Enter a tournament, get a national rating and work toward selection for the Olympiad and the Pan American Youth Festival.
With thanks toAmber GroupCity TilesDigicelPCJChristar Villas