Chess Olympiad team wins best uniforms award

Jamaica’s team at the 46th International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, won the Best Uniforms Award in the Classical Open category. The award recognised the team’s uniforms, which featured Jamaica’s national colours of black, green, and gold. The Jamaican contingent received the honour among nearly 200 competing nations at the international tournament. The Jamaican Open team comprised FIDE Masters (FM) Joshua Christie, Shreyas Smith, Raheem Glaves, and Jaden Shaw, along with Candidate Master (CM) Akeem Brown. The team also finished second among teams from its zone, behind Barbados, after 11 rounds of competition. FIDE announced Jamaica’s uniform award during the closing ceremony, with the announcement also appearing on the organisation’s official social media platforms. The United States, Hong Kong, St Kitts and Nevis, and Mali were also recognised for their uniforms. Spencer’s Tailoring, Carby’s, and LP Azar Limited contributed to the team’s uniforms, which featured the national colours. Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) Local Organising Committee representative Richard Shaw said the award reflected the importance of national representation at international events. “Chess is a game of deep calculation, strategy, and focus, but how we present ourselves to the world tells the story of who we are,” Shaw said. “To be singled out among nearly 200 nations for having the best uniform is a testament to our unmatched national style. We didn’t just compete on the global stage — we owned the room with unmistakable Jamaican pride.”