On Sunday, some unlikely chess players from grassroots Berbice began a cultural intercourse with the Guyana Chess Federation. They hosted an open one-day blitz tournament in Port Mourant, which generat-ed much interest and some excitement for the game among kids, teenagers and others in the surrounding communities of Rose Hall and Albion.
It was the Persaud brothers, Kriskal and Shiv, clothes vendor and mini-bus driver respectively, who organized the support of corporate Berbice for the financing of the tournament. The New Building Society, Sukhram General Store, Geddes Grant Limited, Belvedere Inn 2, and Crown Spot Lemonade, in addition to a few individuals, contributed handsomely towards the provision of prizes and prize money for the top finishers in the competition. In the distribution of prizes, emphasis was placed on the newcomers to the game, and they were recognised and nicely rewarded for their efforts.
The energetic response of Berbice towards the upliftment of the ancient board game, has transformed what for years had become an apathetic and uninteresting pastime. The masses never bothered with chess. It was too dull. And the players, perhaps, too bland. But with Sunday’s tournament, the first ever in Berbice, we regained a sparkle for chess and renewed hope that the game would be played at all strata of society. The game of the day featured Kriskal and Shiv. Each brother came to the tournament venue with his fans. In the tradition of Guyanese spectators hooting at a ball game, local or international, the Berbician enthusiasts were pleasant, vociferous and willing to place bets on their favourite player. Excitement was wafting through the air. Suddenly, chess was alive in Berbice. There was no doubt the game would be a duel to the death.
Shiv told me he wanted to beat his brother only because he was national champion. I explained that all chess masters are beaten some time or the other, and all have been beaten during the ebb-tide moments of their careers. I was backing Kriskal to win the game. I played the wrong horse. Shiv carried the game into the ending with his three connected passed pawns and a Bishop versus a Rook and a Bishop. He queened two pawns and executed checkmate. I found it quite surprising that Shiv could play so logically, so relentlessly, so quickly, and so confidently against such powerful opposition. Remember, Kriskal had practically vacuum-swept the National Championships in November, losing two games from the 18 that were played.
The collossal win for Shiv, playing under time-regulated tournament conditions, reinforces my belief that talent is languishing in the open, and it is the obligation of the federation to find it. Numbers are important to us. For example, the real reason for Russian dominance in chess, is, of course, numerical preponderance. Russia has more first-rate players than any three nations combined. This is the obvious and verifiable truth.
It was a wonderful day of chess in Berbice. Berbicians captivated us with their generosity and open spirit. Those whom we met on Sunday, including the Magistrate who also participated in the tournament, are now our chess friends. We have to communicate, and show the enthusiasts of sport and culture that amongst us, friendship and confidence are prevailing. To make friendship stronger, is a cornerstone of the federation’s domestic and international policy. We are committed.
Smeets v Stellwagen
Going into the final round of the Dutch Chess Championship 2008, Daniel Stellwagen, 21, had the lead in the tournament and was half a point ahead of a phalanx of three grandmasters. Facing Jan Smeets, 23, in the final round, Stellwagen faltered, and handed the championship and a ₤10,000 first prize to his opponent.
Smeets, J (2578) – Stellwagen, D (2621)
Dutch Championship. Netherlands, April 13, 2008
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Be3 a6 7.f4 b5 8.Qf3 Bb7 9.Bd3 Nf6 10.g4 d6 11.0-0-0 Be7 12.Kb1 Nd7 13.g5 0-0 14.h4 Nc5 15.Nce2 Rac8 16.h5 Nxd4 17.Nxd4 f5 18.gxf6 Bxf6 19.Qg4 e5 20.Ne6 Nxe6 21.Qxe6+ Kh8 22.h6 g6 23.Rhf1 Qe7 24.Qb3 exf4 25.Bxf4 Be5 26.Bxe5+ dxe5 27.a4 b4 28.Rxf8+ Rxf8 29.c3 bxc3 30.Qxc3 g5 31.Bc4 Bxe4+ 32.Ka2 Bf5 33.Bxa6 Qe6+ 34.Bc4 Qxh6 35.Qxe5+ Qg7 36.Qd6 g4 37.a5
Black is under pressure, but has a chance to hang on, draw and win the title of Dutch Champion. But in this situation he falters. 37…g3? 38.Rg1 Ra8 39.a6 g2 40.Qd5. Attacking the rook, bishop and pawn. 40…Re8? Bad defence in an essentially hopeless position. 41.Qxf5 Qd4 42.Qf7. Good enough to win, but the tactical solution was 42.Bd3 with deadly effect. 42…Rc8 43.Rxg2 Qxc4+ 44.Qxc4 Rxc4 45.Rg3 and White easily wins this pawn ending. Black Resigns! 1-0.
