Mr Michael Pereira, a member of the Guyana Chess Federation since the 1970s, passed away at the beginning of the new year. He played competitive chess throughout his life, always planning over the chess board, always probing to find chinks in his opponent’s armour, and most important of all, always loving the game. He played his final tournament in November, 2010.
Michael was as cheerful and modest a human being as could be. I cannot recall him trying to win an argument, or seeking to impose his will on anyone. His argument and his will were demonstrated unambiguously at the chess board. Sometimes he won the game, sometimes he drew and sometimes he lost. But he always made his point, and what he believed in, to his opponent.
When we re-started the failed engines of chess in Guyana three years ago, Michael was one of the first chess players to join our experimental band of merry gentlemen. And he encouraged us to persevere. He became a standard feature at chess tournaments, and made sure before tournament day that he was registered to play. There is hardly a chess player from Michael or who had not played chess, competitive or otherwise, with him. Recently, his quality of play had improved quite well in that he defeated some of the top players during competitions last year.
The GCF, on behalf of all of its members, and Guyanese chess players residing overseas, wishes to extend its deepest sympathy to the family and relatives of Michael Anthony Pereira on his sudden and unexpected passing.
In the Trophy Stall chess tournament which continues today at the Kei-Shar’s Sports Club, it is Loris Nathoo and Wendell Meusa who are in the lead with 2½ points each from the three games which have been contested so far. Nathoo and Meusa drew their individual game. The tournament is an eight round swiss with five games yet to be played. 
Carlsen v Giri
The 2011 Tata Steel Chess Tournament is taking place from January 14 to 30 in Wijk aan Zee. There are three grandmaster groups with 14 players each, with each competitor playing against every other. In the following game, the young and charismatic Magnus Carlsen, the world’s highest ranked player, loses his way to Anish Giri.
Carlsen, M (2814) – Giri, A (2686)
73rd Tata Steel GMA Wijk aan Zee NED (3), 17.1.2011
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 Bg7 4.Bg2 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.Nf3 Nb6 7.Nc3 Nc6 8.e3 0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Re1 a5 11.Qd2N e5 12.d5 Nb4 13.e4 c6!
14.a3 cxd5 15.axb4 axb4 16.Rxa8 bxc3 17.bxc3 Nxa8 18.exd5 Nb6 19.Rd1 e4 20.Ng5??
20…e3! 21.Qb2 Qxg5 22.Bxe3
Qg4 White Resigns! 0-1.
