A historian once wrote that a great society is not measured by the number of its lawyers or accountants, but by its artists.
We, therefore, the people of this beloved nation of ours, must recognize the intrinsic value that art contributes to our towns, our country, our citizens, and most importantly, our youths.
Chess is art. Some people have described the ancient game as a science. Some argue it is a sport. But chess is art, first and foremost, and chess players are artists. Exposure to chess provides children and youths with a sense of identity, recognition, achievement and infinite forms of self-expression. This is why I am impelled to campaign strenuously for children and youths to participate in chess tournaments when they are advertised.
I entertain the ambitious notion of promoting chess in schools – first in Georgetown, then to schools in the other regions of Guyana. To proceed with such a noble venture immediately, however, is not possible. But I remain confident that in time it would be done. The end result will make our country a better place to live.
While Georgetown has the unique distinction of being the nation’s capital, and naturally we must begin our development of chess here, it alone does not represent our national identity. There is another local voice belonging to the faces of communities scattered throughout this land to which we must also pay attention.
At present, a tiny self-appointed group of chess administrators is busy attending to the difficulties of organising and conducting chess tournaments in Georgetown. Tournaments are viewed worldwide as a means of popularising chess. They are held in order to discover talented children, and to improve the strength of our senior players.
By having tournaments frequently, we would eventually develop a ‘chess culture,’ where chess would gain momentum among various sections of the population.
The plan is to play tournaments regularly, and get as many people as we can involved in the game. During the last quarter of the year, it is our intention to have a grand National Championship tournament, in which the winner would be crowned National Chess Champion of Guyana. Indirectly, during this period, we would be preparing vigorously for international competition, beginning with the Caricom countries.
When Guyana takes part in an international tournament, I view it as a means of a cultural exchange and of strengthening friendship and mutual relations between the people of different countries.
If we succeed in carrying chess to the people, we would be making a great investment in the future of our nation.
Carlsen and Aronian play to a draw
Norway’s Magnus Carlsen , 19, makes a statement again with his play against Levon Aronian. The game ends in a draw but both players demonstrate fighting chess. Carlsen had previously defeated former world champion Veselin Topalov in the tournament which ends today, Sunday.
Aronian,L (2744) – Carlsen,M (2690)
XXIV SuperGM Morelia/Linares MEX/ESP . 18.02.2007
(See diagram)
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Nf3 dxc4 5.Bg2 a6 6.0-0 Nc6 7.e3 Bd7 8.Qe2 b5 9.Rd1 Be7 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Ne5 Qe8 12.b3 Nd5 13.Bxd5 exd5 14.Nxd5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ra7 16.bxc4 c6 17.Nf4 Qc8 18.Bb2 g5! completely equalises. 19.e4? gxf4 20.gxf4 f5! This is what Aronian probably missed. 21.Qe3 Rb7 22.Qg3+ Kf7 23.Qh3 Ke8 24.Qh5+ Rf7 25.Kh1 fxe4 26.Rg1 Bf5 27.Rad1
27…Rd7 28.e6!! Not very complicated but missed by Carlsen. 28…Bxe6 29.Rg8+ Bf8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8 31.Qh6+ Ke7 Black cannot avoid the repetition of moves. DRAW. 1/2-1/2.
