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Intense rivalry anticipated as National Chess Championships gets underway
Minister Anthony makes the first move against junior chess aspirant, Sham Khan as National Champion Kriskal Persaud observes.
Sixteen chess players comprising of eight seniors and a similar number of juniors started their quest for honours when the National Chess Tournament organized by the Guyana Chess Federation got underway at the Ocean Spray International Hotel, Stanley Place Kitty yesterday morning.
The Honourable Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr. Frank Anthony delivered the keynote address moments before declaring the championships open. Mr. Anthony noted the strides made by the executives of the Chess Federation in popularizing the sport, commending them for a job well done.
“Since the resuscitation of chess you have come a long way,” the Minister said. He also noted that these executives were working assiduously to broaden the awareness level. “There were many doubters that questioned the wisdom of your efforts but you have succeeded in putting your skeptics to shame,” the Minister lauded. Mr. Anthony then urged the players to demonstrate the level of discipline necessary for competitions of this level. “Play well, give of your best and let’s have a good tournament,” the Minister concluded.
Earlier, President of the Federation, Errol Tiwari urged the participants to apply themselves to the task while playing steadfastly. “I wish to see games where the players employ the latest theories as well as good end games,” Tiwari said.
He noted that this years competition will be highly competitive, judging from the level of play displayed in the preliminary rounds. “I wish you all good luck and may the best player emerge as champion,” said the Federation President.
Meanwhile, tongues have already started to wag and many pundits are eagerly anticipating the match up between defending national champion, Kriskal Persaud, rated at 1936 and the up and coming star, Wendell Meusa, rated at 1959. Ever since returning from Barbados where he had won several prestigious tournaments, Meusa had distinguished himself among the top players and have carted off the lion’s share of the tournaments organized by the Federation.
He will have to be wary of national champion, Kriskal Persaud who is well set to retain his crown. Both players have enjoyed some measure of success over each other in previous tournaments and obviously, the player with the stronger mental acumen would walk away with the spoils this time around.
Notwithstanding this, it would be foolhardy to eliminate former youth champion Taffin Khan from the equation. After dominating the junior category, this youngster had graduated to play among the bigger boys. His fortunes have been somewhat checkered in this department and obviously he is still to assert himself. With a current rating of 1924, the former junior champion would fancy his chances of procuring the prestigious prize.
The other players vying for top honours are Learie Webster (1951), Omar Shariff (1930), Chino Chung (1910), Brian Thompson (1894) and Ronuel Greenidge (1803).
The players would contest in a double round robin format with a time control of one hour and thirty minutes per player.
Meanwhile, the juniors that would be contesting for the title are, Saeed Ali (1508), Rashad Hussain (1470), Sham Khan (1469), Raan Motilall (1417), Stanley Ming (1378), Crystal Khan (1372), Kana Khan (1365) and Cecil Cox (1330).
The seniors will play two rounds per day with the first game starting at 10:30hrs while the second gets underway at 15:00hrs on Saturdays and Sundays. The juniors will also play two rounds per day with one game at 10:00 hrs while the second commences at 14:00hrs. The seniors play at Ocean Spray Hotel, while the juniors compete at the Olympic House, Church and Peter Rose Streets, Queenstown.
The junior category is sponsored exclusively by the Ramgopaul Family.
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