Carl Adams and Kaeden Fyfield-Jones Earn Their First FIDE Ratings at the Chess Olympiad!!
It gives me immense pleasure to share another memorable outcome from the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
Two players from the St. Kitts and Nevis Open Team — Carl Victor Adams and Kaeden Fyfield-Jones — have earned their first FIDE Standard Ratings following their performances at the Olympiad.
The October 2026 FIDE Rating List now shows:
Carl Victor Adams — FIDE Standard Rating: 1731
FIDE ID: 33200327
View Carl Victor Adams’ official FIDE profile
Kaeden Fyfield-Jones — FIDE Standard Rating: 1536
FIDE ID: 33200181
View Kaeden Fyfield-Jones’ official FIDE rating record
This achievement is particularly satisfying because earning FIDE ratings for our unrated players was one of the objectives we had set before travelling to Samarkand.
From Newcomers to FIDE-Rated Players
St. Kitts and Nevis arrived at the Olympiad as one of the least experienced teams in the competition. The team had very limited exposure to international classical chess, and we knew from the outset that competing on the world’s biggest team-chess stage would be an enormous challenge.
But results were not our only measure of success.
Before the Olympiad, I had spoken about the opportunity to work with these players and our desire to help the unrated members of the team begin their international chess journey and, hopefully, earn their first FIDE ratings.
Today, seeing Carl and Kaeden officially FIDE rated makes that objective a reality.
The Promise Was Visible in Samarkand
Even during the difficult opening rounds, I could see that the results did not tell the complete story.
In my earlier report, “St. Kitts and Nevis Show Promise Despite Tough Start at Chess Olympiad,” I had written about the team’s limited tournament experience but also highlighted the promise being shown by the players.
Read the earlier report on the Indian Chess School website
Carl and Kaeden were among those who particularly impressed me during the competition. Their performances showed that the ability was there; what the players needed was greater tournament exposure, systematic training and opportunities to play stronger opposition.
The publication of their first FIDE ratings is therefore a tangible outcome of their Olympiad experience.
Carl Victor Adams — 1731
Playing on the demanding top board for St. Kitts and Nevis, Carl Victor Adams demonstrated patience, determination and the ability to fight long games against experienced international opposition.
One of the memorable moments of our campaign came in Round 3, when Carl defeated Christian Guanzon in a marathon 104-move encounter. It was precisely the kind of fighting performance that demonstrated what Carl was capable of.
His first FIDE Standard Rating of 1731 provides an excellent benchmark from which to continue his chess journey.
Kaeden Fyfield-Jones — 1536
Young Kaeden Fyfield-Jones, born in 2009, was another player who impressed me greatly in Samarkand.
Kaeden showed considerable potential during the Olympiad. There were moments when his ability to create opportunities against stronger and more experienced opposition became clearly visible.
His first FIDE Standard Rating of 1536 is an encouraging beginning. Being still very young, he has considerable time to develop his game, and with systematic training and regular tournament exposure, I believe he has the potential to progress much further.
And There Is More Talent Waiting
While Carl and Kaeden have achieved this milestone, I would also like to mention the other members of the St. Kitts and Nevis team.
There is considerable untapped talent in the squad. Nohar, in particular, impressed me immensely. Although he did not manage to secure his FIDE rating at this Olympiad, he is extremely talented, and I believe it is only a matter of time — and the right tournament opportunities — before he too becomes a FIDE-rated player.
The important task now is to provide these players with more opportunities to compete in rated tournaments and continue their development.
A Beginning, Not a Destination
A first FIDE rating is not the destination. It is the beginning of a new journey.
For Carl and Kaeden, 1731 and 1536 now become benchmarks against which they can measure their future progress.
The next challenge is to work harder, compete regularly, analyse their games seriously and continue improving. I hope earning their first FIDE ratings will give both players even greater motivation to set ambitious goals for themselves.
A Special Thank You to Ms. Della Stanley
I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Della Stanley, Head of the St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation, for placing her trust and confidence in me and inviting me to serve as Coach-cum-Captain of the St. Kitts and Nevis Open Team at the 46th FIDE World Chess Olympiad.
Working with the team was a wonderful experience for me. I am particularly grateful to Della for keeping faith in me and giving me the opportunity to contribute to the development of these players.
Her commitment to creating more opportunities for the players, particularly exposure to rated tournaments and international competition, is extremely important for the future.
Under her inspirational and dedicated leadership, St. Kitts and Nevis chess is moving in the right direction, and I sincerely look forward to continuing our association and contributing towards the long-term development of the players and the growth of a strong chess culture in the country.
A Milestone to Celebrate
My heartiest congratulations to Carl Victor Adams and Kaeden Fyfield-Jones, their families, Ms. Della Stanley and the entire St. Kitts and Nevis Chess Federation.
For a developing chess nation, every new FIDE-rated player represents another step forward.
For Carl and Kaeden, the journey has only begun.
Congratulations, Carl and Kaeden! May 1731 and 1536 be the first numbers in a long journey of progress on the 64 squares!!