On Thursday, FIDE, the global governing body of chess, announced a landmark appointment that marks a milestone for Caribbean chess: Tris-Ann Richards, president of the Saint Lucia Chess Federation, has been selected to lead the organization’s Commission for Women’s Chess as its new chair.
Richards brings a robust, multi-faceted resume to the top role, holding credentials as a FIDE Woman Candidate Master, certified international arbiter, and accredited chess instructor. For years, she has spearheaded grassroots and international chess development across the Caribbean and beyond, most recently serving as a councillor on the FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess before stepping into the leadership post. Her core mandate in the new role will center on expanding access and encouragement for women and girls to participate in every segment of the global chess ecosystem.
The FIDE Commission for Women’s Chess was founded with a clear mission: to narrow the persistent gender gap in competitive chess and build a more inclusive, equal chess community. To deliver on this goal, the commission runs targeted programs, from specialized training for emerging female players to practical support for mothers balancing competitive chess with caregiving, and works to open more pathways for women to advance into leadership positions as arbiters, trainers, and tournament organizers.
Richards’ rise to the chair position breaks new ground in multiple ways. Currently, just a small handful of women lead national chess federations worldwide, making her leadership all the more notable. Beyond her work in national governance, she has already driven impactful international initiatives, including the widely successful Queen’s Gambit Challenge. That project has already empowered hundreds of women and girls from across the globe to learn the game and hone their competitive skills.
Under Richards’ tenure leading the Saint Lucia Chess Federation, the organization has dramatically expanded its outreach, bringing chess programming to groups that have historically been excluded from the sport. Today, the federation runs chess initiatives in local schools, underserved rural and urban communities, correctional facilities, and senior centers, with a persistent focus on programming that builds economic and social empowerment for women and girls.
In a statement following the announcement, Richards shared her gratitude for the opportunity to lead. “I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with this responsibility,” she said, acknowledging her predecessor Anastasia Sorokina for her foundational work leading the commission. “I also thank the FIDE leadership and Commission members for their confidence and support. I look forward to working with federations and partners across the world as we continue to create greater opportunities for women and girls and strengthen the global women’s chess community.”
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich echoed that optimism, endorsing Richards’ appointment as an ideal fit for the role. “I am delighted to welcome Tris Ann Richards as the new Chair of the Commission,” Dvorkovich said. “Her experience, passion, and long-standing commitment to chess development make her an excellent choice to lead this important area of FIDE’s work. I wish her every success in her new role.”
Beyond the immediate impact on global women’s chess, the appointment represents a watershed moment for both Saint Lucia and the wider Caribbean region. It signals that the Caribbean’s chess community is gaining growing recognition and influence in global chess governance, contributing meaningful leadership to advance the sport’s international development.