In the inaugural Demerara Distillers Limited Topco Juice Mashramani tournament, Taffim Khan, then a junior player, came close to beating then national champion Kriskal Persaud of Berbice. Khan had entered the end game up a knight and a pawn, considered a theoretical win by chess pundits.

However, inexperience robbed the young Khan then of pulling off a big upset. Since then, however, the dynamics of Chess in Guyana have changed. Firstly, Khan is no longer a junior and secondly, Persaud is no longer the national champion that distinction is being held by Wendell Meusa.

Khan, though, is the hottest player on the circuit having won the previous tournament. The stage therefore is set for what should be a showdown between the two best players in Guyana.

The second staging of the tournament, will commence at the Kei Shars Sports Club Camp and Hadfield Streets, at 445pm following the registration at 3pm. The tournament will take the Swiss format and consist of eight rounds with a time control of three hours per game.  All chess players are invited.

The second and third rounds of the senior tournament will take place tomorrow from 10am.

Round four will be played on February 25  from 5:45pm and rounds five and six on Saturday from 10am. The final two rounds will be played on Sunday from 10am. The juniors will also be in action today with rounds two, three and four tomorrow. The juniors will play the final four rounds on Sunday from 10am. Trophies and cash prizes will be awarded for first to fifth places in both categories.

There will also be a special beginner’s prize for any new participant 13 years-old and under who performs creditably in the tournament.

The top junior will also receive a special incentive prize of one year’s supply of Topco Juice.