The US Virgin Islands Chess Federation (USVICF) has, for over twenty years, controlled the sport of chess in the Virgin Islands. Their control has been heavy handed and discriminatory. Removing federation officers and restoring democracy and fairness has been impossible due to loopholes in the federation statutes, statutes that were changed illegitimately in 2003. Since 2006, there has been very minimal representation from St. Thomas or St. John. Top rated Virgin Islands players continue to be excluded while nonresidents have been placed on our Olympic team for years. Although both The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (VIOC) have initiated investigations into the practices and structure of the USVI Chess Federation, progress has been very slow, allowing the USVICF to continue its heavy-handed discriminatory control.

In August 2021, many Virgin Islands chess players, who had finally had enough, formed a new democratic organization called the USVI Chess Association (https://www.usvichessassociation.org

Officers of the USVICA have written to the VIOC and VI government officials repeatedly requesting that the VIOC recognize chess as a sport equal to any other sport and adhere to their own Constitution mandates—to ensure that individuals representing the territory in a sporting event (including chess) are either native Virgin Islanders or legitimate fulltime residents. Although an investigation has reportedly started, no official action to condemn, prohibit or eliminate the questionable practices of the USVI Chess Federation has occurred.

The USVI Chess Association is reaching out for community and global support in their quest to restore legitimacy to chess in the Virgin Islands. Virgin Islands children need opportunities provided to them not restricted from them. The USVICA further hopes that local & global support will motivate government officials to take the necessary steps to protect VI citizens from discriminatory practices and self-serving individuals in positions of authority.

We the undersigned, in support of democratic and ethical chess in the Virgin Islands, call on the Virgin Islands Olympic Committee, the Virgin Islands Government, and The International Chess Federation (FIDE) to urgently continue their investigation into the questionable statutes, policies, and administration of the USVI Chess Federation and take the necessary steps to restore democracy and integrity to the sport of chess in the US Virgin Islands. Natural justice is a fight for all.