The 2019 National Chess Championship began yesterday with no confirmed favourite in place. It could be anyone’s championship.
The participants are all sharp, and the title will go to the person who makes the minimum of errors. However, two of the players to watch are Taffin Khan and Anthony Drayton, both Olympians. They are both experienced and understand the theme of their individual encounter. They will be difficult to beat.
Saeed Ali has never represented Guyana at an Olympiad, but he brings to the chess board some fanciful and forceful moves. He can effectually seize the initiative from his opponent. It was not surprising that he qualified for the championship and placed third in the Qualifier.
Loris Nathoo plays elegant chess. Smooth! It is said a person plays chess in compatibility with his demeanour. If that statement is accurate, Nathoo fits the bill. He plays safely and calculates minutely. When he is on the attack, he is merciless.
Kriskal Persaud is as surprising as they come. He has a knack of taking the advantage away from his opponent as if by sorcery. Most of the local players know that when Persaud starts moving his h-pawn, watch out, something is about to happen! Persaud has a big tournament mentality, therefore, I expect him to play well.
Shiv Nandalall played effective chess until about 2012. Then he disappeared. When he entered the Qualifier, I was surprised, but elated. I didn’t think he had a chance to qualify for the nationals. He lost his first two games then won the remaining five. Apparently, he was pursuing internet practice. What I can say for certain is that Nandalall and Nathoo solve the chess column puzzles each week. Actually, they look forward to having them.
And then there is Roberto Neto, a dynamic chess player. He takes the game down to the wire, as radio broadcaster B L Crombie used to say. I played with him in a few competitions and he is as tricky as they come. Neto doesn’t give up. He represented Guyana at a Chess Olympiad and is an excellent player!
On the international scene, Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi won the Moscow Grand Prix last week and moves a step closer to cementing a place in the Candidates Tournament. The winner of the 2020 Candidates will oppose World Champion Magnus Carlsen for the title.
