Young Dominican chess player set to receive first FIDE rating after stellar performance

The Dominica Chess Federation has announced that Walson Pacquette, a promising young chess player from Dominica, is on track to receive his first official FIDE rating by the end of this month.  This development follows his notable performance at the Chess Hybrid Tournament held on August 16-17, 2025, at Dominica State College, said the DCF via press release.

The tournament was a six-round Swiss format event with classical time controls of 60 minutes plus a 30-second increment per move. It was conducted in a hybrid format and was officially rated by FIDE. The event was part of the Hybrid Circuit of the Americas and was organized locally by the Dominica Chess Federation.

A total of 63 players from various countries participated, including competitors from Dominica, Ecuador, Peru, Saint Lucia, Trinidad, and Venezuela. The tournament highlighted the diversity of chess by featuring participants aged from 8 to 72 years old, with an average age of 17. There were also 15 female players among the participants. The average FIDE rating of the competitors was approximately 1,597.

Nigel Francis, Dominica’s first-ever FIDE-titled player and two-time national champion, commented on Pacquette’s performance, saying, “Walson is not afraid to take on challenges. He shows the heart of a true competitor — willing to fight,
to learn, and to grow.”

According to the release, the Federation emphasizes that consistent participation in tournaments is crucial for improvement. Every game, whether won or lost, is a valuable learning opportunity. They encourage players not to fear confronting stronger opponents, as such matches reveal weaknesses and foster growth.

Reflecting on this approach, the Federation echoed the words of former world champion José Raúl Capablanca: “You may learn much more from a game you lose than from a game you win. You will have to lose hundreds of games before becoming a good player.”

The Dominica Chess Federation invites all chess enthusiasts to engage actively in both local and international competitions. They remind players that mistakes and setbacks are natural parts of the development process and should not deter progress. The Federation stated that it remains committed to providing support, training, and opportunities for players seeking to improve their skills.

“We celebrate the achievements of all our players at the Chess Hybrid Tournament and look forward to seeing more Dominicans step confidently onto the international stage,” concluded the statement.

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