“Of those to whom much is given, much is asked.” – The first line of a speech delivered by US President Lyndon B Johnson in Washington, DC, on March 31, 1968.
In countries the world over, especially the serious and fruitful chess-playing nations, being president of the national chess organization, reflects keenness of perception, influence and overwhelming prestige. Very likely, the holder of the office of the presidency is a chess player or a former chess player. For Guyana, which is not in the upper echelons of global chess, the prominence of that exemplary chess office, is universally recognized. Two Heads of State—Forbes Burnham and David Granger—held the presidency of the local chess organization.
Irshad Mohammed was elected president of the Guyana Chess Federation on February 9, 2014. He took over from Shiv Nandalall who did not seek re-election owing to his critical business commitments. Mohammed became popular in local chess because he oversaw a Saturday afternoon chess class for children at the Oasis Café. Oasis’ owner William Walker provided the venue for the classes to be held and even sponsored a chess tournament that quoted a sizeable purse and other impressive prizes. A few years later, Mohamed was successful in capturing chess’s prized possession,