A Golden Moment for Jamaican Chess
At just seven years old, Je’Nasiya Mais delivered Jamaica’s standout result at the 20th Central American and Caribbean Youth Chess Festival, capturing the island’s only gold medal in the Classical section. The tournament was held from December 14 to 21, 2025, in Dorado, Puerto Rico, bringing together youth talent from across the region.
Dominating the Under 8 Female Category
Representing the Chess in Motion Academy, Mais competed in the Under 8 Female division and emerged as regional champion. In Classical chess, consistency matters most: players must manage time, calculate accurately, and stay disciplined across multiple rounds. Winning the category at this level signals more than natural talent. It points to preparation, focus, and competitive calm well beyond her years.
Not One Medal, Two
Mais didn’t stop at gold. She also earned a silver medal in the Blitz tournament, a faster format where instinct, speed, and sharp decision-making decide the outcome in minutes. That combination, Classical gold and Blitz silver, highlights a rare balance: the ability to think deeply and patiently, then switch gears and play fast under pressure.
Jamaica’s Wider Showing in Dorado
Jamaica sent a large youth contingent to the festival, competing across multiple age groups in both female and open sections. Alongside Mais’s title run, other Jamaican youngsters posted respectable finishes, underlining that the island’s junior chess programme is building depth, not just producing one standout result.
Why This Win Matters
For Jamaica, youth chess success is more than a feel-good headline. Regional tournaments like the CAC Festival are where young players gain international experience, learn to handle nerves, and measure themselves against strong opposition. Mais’s Classical gold, Jamaica’s only one in that section, becomes a marker of what is possible when coaching, opportunity, and determination meet.
The Story Behind the Trophy
There is something powerful about a seven-year-old becoming a regional champion in a sport defined by patience and precision. Every medal has a backstory: early morning training, quiet study, repeated drills, and the courage to sit across from an opponent and trust your mind. Je’Nasiya Mais’s performance in Dorado is a reminder that Jamaican excellence does not live in one arena. It shows up wherever talent is nurtured and given room to grow.