The Jamaica Chess Federation has confirmed that the 2026 National Age Group Chess Championship will go ahead May 2-3, following a major sponsorship boost from Amber Group, which has committed $15 million to the sport’s development.

The two-day event will be held at the National Arena and is expected to attract thousands of young players from schools, clubs and parishes across the island, competing in multiple age groups and skill categories.

The federation said it anticipates this year’s staging could be the largest national chess event ever held in Jamaica, with competitors vying for age-group titles across several divisions.

Organisers say the championship has been structured to be accessible to both first-time participants and experienced players, giving schools and clubs from all parishes the opportunity to be represented.

Jamaica has long produced strong chess talent, and the tournament will serve as both a celebration of that tradition and a platform to identify players capable of representing the country at the regional and international levels.

The federation credited Amber Group’s intervention for ensuring the event could proceed, noting that the support came in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which had placed the championship in doubt.

Tournament Chairman Warren Elliott said the event represents an opportunity for young Jamaicans to showcase their ability on a national stage.

“This championship is for every Jamaican child who has ever sat in front of a chess board and dared to think bigger. We have worked hard to build something worthy of their talent, and we are proud that on May 2, they will have a national stage to prove themselves,” he said.

Amber Group Founder and Chief Executive Officer Dushyant Savadia said the company’s investment goes beyond the championship itself.

“Chess develops the kind of thinker Jamaica needs — strategic, disciplined, and creative under pressure. These are not just skills for the board — they are the skills that build scientists, entrepreneurs, engineers, and leaders,” he said.

“The national age-group championship was about to be lost, and with it, an opportunity for thousands of Jamaican children. The $15 million we are committing is an investment in Jamaican intellect, and we are proud to support not just this championship, but the long-term development of chess in Jamaica.”

The partnership will also support the federation’s plans to digitalise its operations, including systems to manage players, tournaments and rankings, as well as programmes aimed at expanding competitive chess in schools, colleges and the corporate sector.