COLE BAY, Sint Maarten — The island’s first-ever Chess Jitsu competition took place on Friday, at the SXM BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) dojo located at 15 Wellington Road in Cole Bay, bringing together athletes, families, and spectators for a one-of-a-kind event that combined mental strategy with physical competition.
Chess Jitsu blends the strategic thinking of chess with the intensity of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, creating a unique challenge of mental focus, physical endurance, and composure under pressure. Competitors alternate between timed chess rounds and live grappling rounds, with victories earned by checkmate, submission, or points.
The evening opened with an exciting match between 6-year-olds Ata Turkmenoglu and Jhayron Diaz Lapay. Turkmenoglu secured victory by checkmate during the second chess round, drawing cheers from the crowd as the young competitors demonstrated remarkable focus and determination. The atmosphere was electric, with one adult jiu jitsu athlete commenting during the grappling exchange, “Wow, they are better than me!”
Additional match results included: Gibson Speight defeating Franscia Phebe via Americana submission; Ottone Faurois defeating Sophia Julienne Chamas by checkmate, DeShawn Saunderson defeating Alex Formiga by checkmate, Blue belt Dawid Balszak defeating Dwight Williams by checkmate in round two, Ernesto Acosta defeating Victor Deleon via submission during the opening jiu jitsu round and Abraham Destaalem also securing a victory over Victor Deleon.
Head professor Melissa Bardfield said the event reflects the academy’s commitment to developing both the mind and body through martial arts and critical thinking.
“Jiu jitsu combined with chess is truly a vehicle for self-development,” Bardfield said. “Both disciplines teach patience, discipline, problem-solving, humility, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. These are life skills that extend far beyond competition.”
