Smith takes control of local chess

International Arbiter Russell Smith has been elected as President of the T&T Chess Association (T&TCA) to head its new management committee and conduct the association’s business. Smith, an architect by profession, was the former treasurer in the last administration and is currently the General Secretary of FIDE America. He is the first and only International FIDE Arbiter (IA) in T&T. Following the elections which took place last week, Smith signalled that he is determined to bring chess back into its “glory days”. “We’ve got a lot of work to do as we strive to bring back former glory to the local chess scene. My vision is for the development of all clubs and for the expansion of the chess in school programmes.”

 

Smith thanked the former administration officials for the work they did during the past year, and said he looks forward to working with everyone during his tenure. The first executive meeting is carded for early August when Smith returns from a FIDE America assignment in Peru, where he will be supervising the Pan American Chess Championships. The T&TCA delegation will then seek a meeting with top officials in the Ministry of Sport including Minister, Anil Roberts, Permanent Secretary, Ashwin Creed and Sports Director, Dave Bobb, to discuss future local and international chess plans.