MONROVIA — A leadership crisis has erupted within the Liberia Chess Federation (LCF) following the failed 8th General Congress, which ended in deadlock after failing to meet the quorum required to proceed.
Former LCF President William T. Thompson has accused current president Thomas Karyah of deliberately orchestrating the congress’s failure to avoid rendering a report to the federation.
Speaking to The Liberian Investigator on Monday, May 19, 2025, Thompson, who led the LCF prior to Karyah’s tenure, alleged that the congress date was unilaterally changed from May 10 to May 17, making it difficult for many members to attend and effectively shielding Karyah from accountability for his leadership since 2022.
According to the LCF’s constitution, at least two-thirds of its members—42 individuals—must be present for a congress to proceed. However, at roll call, only 16 of the more than 70 registered members were present, forcing an indefinite postponement.
Thompson criticized the manner in which the date was changed, stating that such decisions should involve the Executive Committee, including club presidents, but no such consultations were held.
He further noted that pre-congress meetings—required for discussions on financial and administrative matters—were never convened, which he says constitutes a clear violation of the federation’s governing rules.
“There were no political undertones stopping people from attending the congress,” Thompson said. “Rather, people are simply not encouraged to sit under the voice of a federation president who does not regard them as supporters of the federation.”
In response, Karyah dismissed the allegations, insisting that clubs and officials were informed well in advance about the new congress date. Expressing frustration over the low turnout, he confirmed that the event would be rescheduled.
“This is a total disappointment for chess development in Liberia,” Karyah said. “For people to say I didn’t want the congress to be held—when we planned day and night to make it happen—is misleading.”
The congress was expected to address pressing issues related to chess development in Liberia and to assess the performance of the federation’s leadership.
However, Karyah claimed that the poor attendance was politically motivated, alleging that certain members deliberately stayed away to stall critical discussions.
The dispute between Thompson and Karyah adds to a series of leadership battles within the LCF. Karyah previously resigned under pressure in the face of allegations of financial mismanagement and running the federation as a one-man operation.
He was later reinstated following weeks of negotiations mediated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Despite his reinstatement, Karyah recently announced he would not seek re-election in the next congress, scheduled for 2026, signaling his eventual departure from leadership.
“I am only waiting for the right time to leave, but I will not contest in the next election,” he told reporters last week. “I believe others can do better than me, given the work we have put in over the last few years.”
Discussion about this post