Chess with Errol

Six winners to participate in July FIDE rating tournament

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The Kei-Shar’s FIDE Qualifying Tournament was a keenly contested event that brought out most of Guyana’s exemplary chess players. National Champion Wendell Meusa prevailed with an outstanding performance. Only Taffin Khan held him at bay with a fighting draw.

FIDE (World Chess Federation) is organizing a nine-round tournament in Guyana in July, which would be internationally rated. Six of our non-rated local players will have the opportunity of competing with four Caribbean rated players. We would therefore have an idea of how strong we are, and how we compare in a limited way with the Caribbean. Local participants will be given an international rating based on their individual performances.

Frankie Farley faces Loris Nathoo in the senior category of the annual Kei-Shar’s chess tournament which ended last Sunday. The tournament was used to qualify six players for the FIDE International which is scheduled to be held in Guyana in July. Nathoo and Shiv Nandalall (right), Manager of Kei-Shar’s Gift Shop and sponsor of the tournament, both qualified to represent Guyana in the FIDE tournament. At the presentation of prizes, Nandalall donated his prize to the best beginner in the junior category of the tournament.

Although Meusa won the Kei-Shar’s Qualifying Tournament, he did not qualify to represent Guyana because he is already FIDE-rated. Local participants have to have never been recipients of a FIDE rating. Presiding as a judge for the tournament will be an arbiter from Suriname who has been appointed by FIDE to officiate in the competition. Although Meusa is not eligible, Guyana is expected to do well with Nathoo, Greenidge, Taffin Khan and Nandalall. These are four of the strongest players in the country and much is expected of them.

The DDL Independence Tournament is expected to begin shortly, and this would give our qualifiers an opportunity to play once more under the specified FIDE time control. Getting accustomed to the international FIDE time control is crucial if one is to do well in the July tournament.

In photo from left are, Ronuel Greenidge, Shiv Nandalall, Taffin Khan, Ryan Singh and David Khan, the five qualifiers for the FIDE International Tournament. Missing from the picture is Loris Nathoo. The six players will combat four international chess players from the Caribbean, in an effort to secure their FIDE ratings, and put Guyana, officially, on the international chess scene.

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