The US Virgin Islands Chess Federation (USVICF) is proud to announce its official delegation to the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad, to be held September 15–27, 2026, in the historic Silk Road city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The Olympiad—one of the world’s largest and most prestigious international team sporting events—will bring together more than 200 national teams for two weeks of elite competition, cultural exchange, and global celebration of chess.

Samarkand, described in the official invitation as “a historic city along the ancient Silk Road… one of the major corridors through which early chess spread westwards”, will host players in the state‑of‑the‑art Silk Road Complex and EXPO Center, with full accommodations provided by the organizers for all official team members.

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USVI Delegation

The US Virgin Islands will field both an Open Team and a Women’s Team, each consisting of five players and a team captain, as confirmed in the federation’s official notice to players.

Open Team

• FM William Van Rensselaer

• Naitik Jhanwar

• Patrick Miller

• Darryl Allen

• Marco Emile

• Captain: Sinclair Wilkinson

Women’s Team

• Dejw Wrensford

• Anne Kershaw

• Lois Williams

• Kalima Williams

• Dru Ubben

• Captain: John Dempsey​

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Gail Widmer will serve as Head of Delegation, coordinating all logistics with the Olympiad Organizing Committee.

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A Historic Opportunity

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The 2026 Olympiad promises to be one of the most significant chess events ever held in Central Asia. As noted in the official invitation, “chess unites people regardless of nationality, language, or cultural boundaries” and the event will “serve to further strengthen cooperation and mutual understanding between nations.”

USVICF President Sinclair Wilkinson expressed pride in the teams: “Our players have worked hard to earn their place on the world stage. Representing the Virgin Islands at the Olympiad is both an honor and a responsibility, and we look forward to showcasing our talent in Samarkand.”

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The USVI Chess Federation is the official governing body for chess in the territory, dedicated to promoting chess education, competition, and international representation. The federation is a member of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).