Avian Pride Wins Inaugural Heritage Chess Classic

Nassau, The Bahamas — July 20, 2026: Avian Pride continued his impressive run in the 2026 Bahamas Chess Federation Open Chess Series by winning the inaugural Heritage Chess Classic, which concluded on Sunday, July 19, following five rounds of competition over the weekend.

Eleven of the country’s top chess players competed for the distinction of becoming the tournament’s first champion. The Heritage Chess Classic was the second of four tournaments in the BCF Open Chess Series for 2026.

Avian Pride, Phillip Hanna Jr., and Woman Candidate Master Chika Pride finished in a three-way tie for first place, each recording three wins and two draws for a total of four points from five games. Avian was declared the champion based on tie-breaks, with Hanna placing second and WCM Chika finishing third.

The final top-five standings were:

1. Avian Pride — 4/5
2. Phillip Hanna Jr. — 4/5
3. WCM Chika Pride — 4/5
4. Lincoln Knowles — 3.5/5
5. Bharath Nair — 3/5

The battle among the three leaders was closely contested. Avian drew his games against both WCM Chika and Hanna, while Hanna and WCM Chika also drew their encounter. With all three players completing the tournament undefeated and level on points, the final positions were determined by the tournament’s tie-break system.

The Heritage Chess Classic also served as valuable preparation for members of The Bahamas’ team selected to compete at the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September. In addition to Avian, Hanna, and WCM Chika, Olympiad team members Dianna Williams, WCM Daijah Johnson, and WCM Nelissa Thomas participated in the tournament. Six of the ten players selected for the national Olympiad teams were therefore represented in the competition.

Avian has now won the first two tournaments in the four-event BCF Open Chess Series, strengthening his position as one of the country’s leading competitors.

“This tournament allowed me to practice some new openings I’m learning for the Olympiad in September,” Avian said. “Overall, I’m excited about the progress I’m making and happy to win again. This one is special because it is my last tournament here at home before I begin my studies at Florida Memorial University. I’m really preparing to play great chess at the Olympiad.”

The tournament was also a qualifier for the Bahamas National Chess Championship, scheduled for January 2027. Phillip Hanna Jr. and WCM Chika Pride secured qualification through their performances and will join reigning National Champion CM Kendrick Knowles, Avian Pride, and CM Byron Small in the championship field.

The BCF Open Chess Series will continue with the Bahamas Open Chess Classic, scheduled for August 21–23, 2026.

The Bahamas Chess Federation congratulates all participants and thanks everyone who contributed to the successful staging of the inaugural Heritage Chess Classic.