Amber Group's $15m injection rescues 2026 National Age Group Chess Championship

The Jamaica Chess Federation has announced that the 2026 National Age Group Chess Championship is back on the calendar for May 2-3, rescued by a $15-million sponsorship pledge from Amber Group toward the development of the sport in Jamaica.

Staged over two days at the National Arena, the tournament is projected to draw thousands of young players representing schools, clubs and parishes across the country, with competition spread across several age brackets and skill categories.

The federation believes the 2026 staging could turn out to be the biggest national chess event the island has ever hosted, with players battling for age-group crowns in multiple divisions.

According to organisers, the format has been designed to welcome both newcomers and seasoned competitors, ensuring that schools and clubs from every parish can field representatives.

Jamaica has a long-standing reputation for producing capable chess players, and officials say the championship will both honour that legacy and help scout talent with the potential to represent the country regionally and internationally.

The federation pointed to Amber Group's stepping in as the reason the championship could still go ahead, explaining that the backing arrived after Hurricane Melissa had cast doubt over whether the event could be held at all.

Tournament Chairman Warren Elliott said the championship gives the nation's young players a chance to demonstrate their ability at the highest local level.

"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 commitment extends well beyond the May tournament.

"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."

Beyond the tournament, the partnership will also help the federation modernise its operations through digital platforms for player registration, tournament management and rankings, and underwrite initiatives to broaden competitive chess in schools, tertiary institutions and the corporate community.