The Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association (TTCA) has recognized FIDE Master Quinn Cabralis as its most outstanding player of 2025 following a remarkably dominant competitive season. Cabralis achieved his breakthrough by capturing the National Chess Championship title in September, completing the tournament undefeated against eleven national finalists at Cascadia Hotel in St. Ann’s. His impressive record included eight victories and three draws, marking a significant career milestone after illness forced his withdrawal from the previous year’s finals.
Cabralis maintained his winning momentum throughout the year, securing third place in the National Blitz Tournament and claiming victory in the National Swiss Tournament at Hillview College in El Dorado during November—again without suffering a single defeat. His earlier success included winning the second National Qualifier in Arima last May.
The newly crowned national champion demonstrated remarkable consistency across all chess formats, simultaneously elevating his international FIDE rating in every discipline and solidifying his status as Trinidad and Tobago’s premier chess competitor.
In women’s chess, Aradhana Ramnarine Singh emerged as the standout female player of the year after achieving a rare feat—becoming only the second player in three years to defeat Venezuela-born Women’s FIDE Master Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez (who now represents Trinidad and Tobago) in the national female finals. Singh continued to excel throughout the competitive calendar, securing third place in the Female National Swiss Tournament and finishing as runner-up in the National Rapid Tournament among women competitors.
The current national girls’ U18 champion represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Central American and Caribbean Youth Championship in Puerto Rico earlier this month. Despite missing several tournaments due to academic commitments at Naparima Girls’ High School, Singh established herself as one of the country’s top female junior players under the guidance of coach Dev Soondarsingh.
The TTCA underwent administrative changes in 2025 with Sandy Razark assuming the presidency. The association also mourned the passing of long-serving member Roderick Noel in August, who served as FIDE rating officer and was remembered for his dedicated contributions to local chess development.
Looking forward, the TTCA is preparing to field both male and female teams at the 46th World Chess Olympiad scheduled for September next year in Uzbekistan.