By Iva Wharton
The development of chess in schools will not be left to the annual schools tournament but efforts are also being made to have vibrant chess clubs in the schools.
So said Minster of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday while declaring open the fifth annual Inter Schools chess tournament at the Carifesta Sports Complex building on Carifesta Avenue.
He said it was the belief that with the existence of vibrant clubs then there would be fierce competition at the schools championship.
“Chess is a very important game, very intellectual, stimulating and I think that the students especially will be assisted with their academic work and their focus along with other benefits that can derive from playing chess.
“I remember many years ago when I was in school, Queen’s then, had a vibrant chess club and every midday literally there was a class room that was set aside that as soon as you had your lunch break people would settle in the classroom, chess boards would come out and they would play for that hour. And because of that type of attitude that people had for the game many of those persons went on to be national champions and went on to represent this country internationally,” he added.
However, Dr. Anthony said that he was a bit disappointed with the fact that the turn out was not as big as in previous years.
“In previous years we had more schools participating. Today (yesterday) I think we have less schools in numbers and I feel very saddened to learn that Linden and Bartica will not be attending because our efforts have always been to spread the game to more schools around the country.
“With this tournament we have been working with the chess federation to support the sport with its development in schools. In fact, one of the things we have been constantly doing is buying boards and making them available to schools.”
President of the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) Shiv Nandalall said that chess was not just a game.
“It is a way of life if you want to look at it like that. Apart from just engaging your colleagues from other schools and playing to win, you must see chess in a different light. In a way it can guide you in your life.
He too said that he was disappointed that few schools could not attend but nevertheless urged those in attendance to do their best.
Thirteen teams from nine schools will compete in this year’s championships with Queen College, Bishops High, West Demerara Secondary and Marian Academy all fielding two teams each. Other schools competing in the championships are School of the Nations, Vyrman’s Erven, Black Bush Secondary, President’s College and New Amsterdam Multilateral.
Schools from Bartica and Linden were expected at the competition but decided not to travel at last minute.
The two-day competition ends today. Queen’s College are the defending champions while Saeed Ali will defend his individual title.