We should all accept this bold challenge, and seek to fight back, and in doing so, reinvigorate our game with fresh ideas, new-found theories and better strategies. Simply put, the task ahead of us now is to beat Meusa, before we embark on those grand mental excursions of beating FIDE- ranked players internationally. Meusa has done well to define the standard to which we must aspire and become accustomed if we are to have the name ‘Guyana’ emblazoned in lights in the competitive world of chess.
Meusa’s win, and the manner in which he accomplished it by easily demolishing some of the ablest players in the country, represents a turning point for chess. Now we have somebody to beat among us. Now we have something to work assiduously towards. If we put our shoulders to the wheel, our game will get stronger. We will become fiercer. And sharper. The standard has been set and it is climbing. If we are to succeed internationally, we have to aspire to our champion’s standard and strive vigorously to surpass it.
One of our critical mistakes in chess nowadays is neglecting the old masters. Since the grand explosion of computers, and computer chess, we have been reading less. For some, chess books have become ancient relics in homes across the country. Everything is now computer, computer, computer. We play more chess than we read or study the game. It’s a mistake. And you know it’s a mistake when you start losing at the chessboard. I like to refer to the ancient Chinese proverb: “If you want to know the road ahead, ask those who are coming back.” We must study the old masters.
Meusa should be an inspiration to our young players. I think he already is, because I have seen him helping the young ones. He brought two little girls to the recent qualification tournament. I was informed he is their trainer.
The Federation is infinitely grateful for such wonderful and selfless assistance. We wish Meusa a successful and enterprising year as national champion. Chess is developing in Guyana. Chess is on the move.
Singh v Sampsonkin
Raymond Singh, a former national chess champion of Guyana, currently resides in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He is active on the Canadian national chess circuit, carrying the name of Guyana in tournament after tournament.
In the following game he opposes a player of grandmaster strength, at 2600 rating points. Raymond falters in the endgame and resigns!
Elora Open – Canada
Singh, Raymond (1974) – Sampsonkin, Aurter (2601)
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+ Nd7 4.0–0 Ngf6 5.Re1 a6 6.Bxd7+ Nxd7 7.c4 g6 8.Nc3 Bg7 9.d3 0–0 10.Be3 b5 11.Qd2 Rb8 12.Rab1 Re8 13.b3 Qa5 14.Nd5 Qxd2 15.Bxd2 e6 16.Ne3 Bb7 17.Nf1 f5 18.Ng3 Ba8 19.h3 Nb6 20.Nh2 Be5 21.Nhf1 bxc4 22.dxc4 fxe4 23.Nxe4 Nxc4 24.bxc4 Rxb1 25.Rxb1 Bxe4 26.Rb6 d5 27.Ne3 dxc4 28.Nxc4 Bc7 29.Rb2 Bd3 30.Ne3 Be5 31.Rb6 h5 32.g3 c4 33.Nd1 Be2 34.Bc3 Bxc3 35.Nxc3 Bf3 36.Rxa6 Kf7 37.Rb6 Kf6 38.a4 Ke5 39.a5 Kd4 40.Nb5+ Kc5 41.Nc7 Rc8 42.Nxe6+ Kd5 43.Nf4+ Ke4 44.Re6+ Kf5 45.Rxg6 c3 46.Rg7 c2 47.Nd3 c1Q+ 48.Nxc1 Rxc1+ 49.Kh2 Rh1# 0–1
