Barbadian chess players International Master (IM) Orlando Husbands and Women’s FIDE Master (WFM) Hannah Wilson have etched their names in the history books, becoming the first players from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the FIDE World Cup under its current format.
Their historic qualification comes after impressive performances at the Subzone 2.3.3 Open and Women’s Chess Championships 2025, held in Trinidad and Tobago. Husbands, 28, claimed the top spot in the Open Division, finishing unbeaten with 7.5 points out of a possible nine—earning six wins and three draws in a field of 96 players from 15 countries. In his final round, he secured a vital draw against Jamaican FIDE Master Joshua Christie while playing with the black pieces, which was enough to seal the championship title and his World Cup qualification.
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Meanwhile, 16-year-old Hannah Wilson delivered a flawless performance in the Women’s Division, winning all nine of her games to finish with a perfect 9/9 score. Her dominant run ensured a well-deserved first-place finish and a coveted ticket to the FIDE World Cup.
The 2025 FIDE World Cup is set to take place in New Delhi, India, from October 31 to November 27. The prestigious event will bring together over 200 of the world’s top chess players in a knockout format, with the top three advancing to the Candidates Tournament—the final gateway to the World Chess Championship.
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Both players’ achievements mark a watershed moment for chess in the Caribbean, demonstrating the region’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.
“This is a proud moment for Barbados and Caribbean chess,” said a spokesperson from the Barbados Chess Federation. “Orlando and Hannah have shown exceptional skill and determination. Their success will no doubt inspire a new generation of Caribbean chess players.”
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