Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Shamfa Cudjoe yesterday extended condolences to the family and friends of former national chess champion Della-Marie Walcott, on her passing on Sunday.
“Once again, the local sporting fraternity has been plunged into mourning with the loss of Della-Marie. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, friends and former teammates at this time. She was indeed a true patriot and her passion and dedication to the sport of chess would surely be remembered,” said Minister Cudjoe in a release, paying tribute to the former national women's champion.
Walcott, during her short career, copped first place at the National Junior Chess Championship in 2009, in the Under-8 category; in 2010, in the U-10 category and in 2011, in the U-10 category.
Regionally, Walcott represented T&T at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Regional Youth Championship in Panama, Columbia and Puerto Rico. Internationally, in 2012 and 2014, she represented T&T at the World Chess Olympiad in Istanbul, Turkey and Tromso, Norway, respectively.
The former student of St Joseph Convent, Port-of-Spain was also the 2013 CARIFTA junior chess champion. Although she was just 19 years old, Walcott was nominated on two occasions, for the First Citizens Sport Foundation Youth Awards.
The release continued: "The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs deeply regrets the passing of this former national chess player. Her passing will leave a void in the lives of many, especially her family, friends and former teammates. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family. May she Rest in Peace."