It was through chess that I formed my character. More than anything else, chess teaches you to be objective. – Dr Alexander Alekhine – World Chess Champion 1927-35; 1937-46.
The battle is raging in the Lotus Room of the Hotel Tower as the men of war thump each other mentally to earn a qualifying place in the National Chess Championships. Only the strong and better-prepared players would advance to the Nationals, Guyana’s most prestigious chess competition.
Reserves of physical and mental stamina are needed if one is to win each of his last three games today. For me, my adrenaline surges when I am competing under pressure. Every game is crucial, and each opponent is a serious contender.
Loris Nathoo has demonstrated the psychological toughness that is necessary to advance to the Nationals. During his game with Dennis Dillon, he showed us how a player can turn around the pressures cast upon himself to his opponent by precise play under severe time pressure, and how, simultaneously, we can tighten the psychological screws on our competition. Alongside Nathoo are Shiv Nandalall and David Khan, who are playing very well.
The surprise of the tournament, in addition to the increased numbers, is the intensity of the games and the seriousness with which they are being played. There is no amusement here. Even the juniors are thinking carefully before they make their moves.
Learie Webster lost two early games but could bounce right back today to be one of the qualifiers. Webster is an attacking player who goes after his opponent’s King from the beginning of the game. So is Ronuel Greenidge, who stayed away from competitions for most of the year but is now back with a vengeance. He launched a nasty attack against Nandalall’s King, but was driven back with some good moves by his opponent.
Among the juniors, favourite Taffin Khan is rocking, and living up to expectations that he would win this section. The lone female among the juniors, Sheriffa Ali, is also paddling in rough waters to earn a place in the Nationals. Her fighting spirit is evident.
Chess is a war of attrition, and the tactical struggle does not always confine itself to the movements on the board. Sometimes, one of the mightiest weapons in a game is the clock.
In Guyana, every chess player knows how Nathoo handles the clock in time pressure. With seconds to go, Nathoo can indulge in exaggeratedly nerve-racking demonstrations during time trouble, which have the effect of contributing to the tension of the game, and unsettling his opponents. Nathoo is at his most dangerous when he is in time trouble. There is a tendency to match his speed of play although we have more time on our clocks. This is a mistake. A huge one. Inevitably, we make a blunder and lose the game. How we use the clock today, would be of crucial importance in determining who the qualifiers would be.
The Guyana Chess Federation wishes to acknowledge the ready sponsorship of the Hotel Tower, Kei Shar’s and Sasha Cells for this tournament. At the Tower, the conditions for playing competitive chess are great, and players have said they are comfortable with the arrangements that have been put in place to accommodate them.
Play begins at 10 am today in the Lotus Room.