Staff Sgt. Imann Fletcher Takes Top Army Spot at Armed Forces Chess Championship
FORT MEADE, Md. — A U.S. Army staff sergeant has emerged as the service's top speed chess player, while also serving as a key player in the military's intelligence efforts.
Staff Sgt. Imann A. Fletcher, a reserve special agent, took the top Army spot at the 65th Annual U.S. Armed Forces Open Blitz Chess Championship, held at the United States Naval Academy from Oct. 12-14, 2024. The tournament, which drew competitors from all branches of the military, was a culmination of Fletcher's lifelong passion for the game.
Fletcher's introduction to chess came in middle school, where he would play during lunch and later joined the school's chess club. However, it wasn't until he faced off against a formidable opponent in a pedestrian plaza in downtown Silver Spring that he truly honed his skills. The opponent, who charged $5 to play, proved to be a tough competitor, and Fletcher regularly lost to him at first.
Undeterred, Fletcher devoted himself to studying chess, poring over books and practicing tirelessly. “I used to read chess books at the local library just to be able to beat the guy,” said Fletcher. During one game, his opponent recognized an eight-year-old girl walking by and told him to play against her.
That game did not go in his favor either, as she proceeded to beat him soundly.
His hard work eventually paid off when he finally beat his opponent at 2 a.m. after two years of trying. The victory was sweet, and Fletcher's opponent even gave him a hug in congratulations.
Fletcher's chess career was put on hold when he joined the Army in 2016, but he continued to play and improve his skills. While in basic training at Fort Jackson, he even accepted a challenge from his drill sergeant to a game, with the promise of TV time for his fellow soldiers if he won. Fletcher emerged victorious, and his comrades were rewarded with a night of entertainment.
Today, Fletcher is ranked in the 99.5 percentile on chess.com, and his goal is to join the NATO Chess Team. He credits his command leadership in the 752nd, Maj. Carson and Master Sgt. Hinal, for their support and encouragement, saying, "They believed I could do well. It's easier when people believe in you."
Fletcher's favorite chess piece is the knight, which he describes as "both noble and tricky." He also has a penchant for strategy, which serves him well in his civilian job at the DOD. In fact, military intelligence units often incorporate chess items into their coats of arms, badges, and insignias, symbolizing the strategic thinking and problem-solving that are essential to the field.
As he looks to the future, Fletcher is considering starting his own company specializing in intel analysis. His advice to others is to "set your mind to something and make little improvements." With his impressive chess skills and dedication to his work, Fletcher is sure to make his mark in the world of intelligence and beyond.
In the meantime, he will continue to checkmate his opponents, one move at a time. As he demonstrated before an interview, Fletcher can deliver a checkmate in just two moves, or opt for the more classic four-move "scholar's mate." Either way, his opponents would do well to be prepared.
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