A schools’ programme could revitalize chess in Guyana

By Errol Tiwari On In Chess with Errol |
US chess grandmaster Wesley So (right) and his teenage Chinese counterpart Wei Yi, played to a draw at the recent Masters Tata Steel chess competition. So created quite a stir in the competition finishing ahead of Norway’s world champion Magnus Carlsen. The American was awarded the 2016 Chess Player of the Year award, and seems to be emphasizing his winning ways. At the Tata Steel, for 13 games at the most elite level, So did not lose once. (Photo by Alina l’Ami/Chessbase)
US chess grandmaster Wesley So (right) and his teenage Chinese counterpart Wei Yi, played to a draw at the recent Masters Tata Steel chess competition. So created quite a stir in the competition finishing ahead of Norway’s world champion Magnus Carlsen. The American was awarded the 2016 Chess Player of the Year award, and seems to be emphasizing his winning ways. At the Tata Steel, for 13 games at the most elite level, So did not lose once. (Photo by Alina l’Ami/Chessbase)

A shadow is crossing the path slowly but gradually on chess in Guyana. We have greeted the second month of 2017 without having any indication of where we are heading, how we will get there and if there is an intention for the renewal of regular chess activity.

The Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) was not successful in organizing a national senior chess championship for 2016. The national schools’ championships were inexplicably erased without explanation three years ago when the current administration assumed office. Tourna-ments are haphazard and without form. What is the purpose of irregular chess competitions? Are we preparing for something, anything? Are we content only to make some noise when we attend the two-week biennial chess Olympiad competition? Should we lessen our local chess activity for two years until the next Olympiad approaches?